My Guam Experience Part 3/3.

Another hut we have at Gef Pa’go is the salt making hut, 

or Salinas hut. Salt in the chamorro language is called asiga. 

To make salt, we have to collect salt water out by the reef, 

where we know it is pure saltwater. Once we have enough saltwater, 

we have to boil it over a very hot fire for several days, until the water has evaporated,    

leaving behind a brown salt. We then scoop out the salt and place it in 

cardboard boxes and lay it in the sun until the salt dries and turns a very clean white. 

Once it is white and dry, it packaged for sale.

My stay on Guam was sort of like going back in time. Wearing a mestiza        

 everyday, making salt, making coconut candy. It was rewarding to be able to 

experience when my ancestors did everyday. I will always love california, 

but Guam is so unique, and will always be my home.

My Guam Experience Part 2/3.

                   One of the huts was the Coconut Candy Hut. At this hut, we would show the how to husk the coconut, open the coconut, grate the coconut, make the coconut candy, and how to make coconut oil. There are two tools we use to do these things and they are called the kumzu and the hagow. The hagow is a three foot long hard piece of wood, carved into a two inch thick piece. We first have to husk the coconut, so we take the hagow and use that to pierce through the coconut husk and pry the husk from the shell. Once the shell is free of the husk, we use the hagow to break the coconut shell by holding the coconut in our palm and repeatedly hitting the shell with the hagow while turning the coconut between hits. Once we have broken the shell, we must either put the coconut milk in a container, or throw it away. Once we have the two halves of the coconut, we have to use the kumzu to grate it. The kumzu is a wooden stool with a sharp metal blade with spikes on the end of it. We use that by sitting on it and grinding the inside of the coconut shell with the meat on the blade with the spikes. When we are done, we have a plate of grated coconut. To make coconut candy, we must heat up a pan and pour a cup of sugar in. We continuously stir the sugar until it is a brown caramelized liquid. We then pour in two cups of grated coconut and stir it with the liquid until it is a sticky golden brown candy. To make the coconut oil, we have to have a plate of grated coconut, which we use our hands to squeeze until we have about a cup of   coconut milk. We boil the coconut milk until we see the oil and the water separate. We then scoop out the oil into another pot to boil. Once the oil and the water has separated again, we scoop out the finished product.

Last part coming soon!


Thanks for reading!


Sincerely, 
Me.
Simply, a seventeen year old.

My Guam Experience Part 1/3.

                             On February 8th, 2011, I flew out to the Island of Guam to spend some time learning about the island where I was born and the people who live there. Guam is located the Pacific Ocean, above Australia, and Southeast of China and Korea. It is a territory of the U.S. My mothers side of the family still lives there, so I stayed with my Grandmother for the three months I stayed there. About a week into my trip, I started volunteering full time at Gef Pa’go, a cultural park that my Grandmother, Judy Flores, has been involved with since it first opened. 

As a volunteer at Gef Pa’go, I was a tour guide. I worked every weekday, from 9-12, the normal hours of operation. I wore an outfit called a Mestiza, a long skirt and a poncho style shirt that the people of Guam, known as Chamorros, started wearing during the Spanish occupation, which began in the mid 1500’s. I took the tourists through the park and into the huts, explaining in detail about how the chamorros used to live, both in the Spanish occupation, and the Japanese occupation, which happened during World War II. Everyday, a Japanese tour from Lam Lam Tours would come, and that was about 10-40 people, depending on the day. I would follow their tour guide around while he did the tour in Japanese. I would follow and help when needed. Every once in a while, a walk-in tour would come. We would take those people around and show them Gef Pa’go. 

Next part coming soon! 

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

Going home.

I can't wait to see my family!

I haven't seen my dad and Eric for three months,

and I haven't seen my mom and Levi for almost two.

I'm gonna miss them when I come back to Guam after my visit,

but I will be back in California for good in early August.

So I won't be away for long when I leave them.

I leave this Saturday. That's two days for me.

It's going to be a long journey getting there, though.

I have a flight from Guam to Honolulu, where I will

stay the night with a family friend named Jan. 

The next day, I'm leaving at 1pm to go to L.A. 

My flight gets in at 10:30, so I will be exhausted.

But I can't wait, it's going to be fun.

That's all for now,

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely, 

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

I'm back!

Hello my dear followers.

I am so sorry I  haven't posted in over a month.

I know, shame on me.

It's not that I've been busy, well I sort of have,

but it was that I wanted to to make a really good post and 

couldn't think of something that would make 

a really good post. But its been too long,

and now I need to do one.

The most exciting news I have to share is that I am now

a paid employee at Gef Pa'go. 

Officially I am what is called an On Call employee,

but I still get paid! My first paycheck will be in two

weeks. I was supposed to get paid today, but long story short,

I'm getting paid in two weeks.

Since my last blog post, it has become official that I will 

stay here until September! Such a long time!

When I return to California, my parents will be living 

in a different house, in a different town!

I'm so excited to spend so much time here!

The only downside to staying, is that my cousin

is moving to California. So I will be here, where she used to live,

and she will there, where I used to live!

From now on, I promise to write a blog post at least once a week.

That's all for now,

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

Staying home.

Today, I was asked if I wanted to stay longer.

Not just until May 15th.

I was asked if I wanted to stay and go 

to Summer School here.

I'm surprised at myself that I want to 

go to Summer School... But I do.

I'm going to miss my friends so much!

..But this is my home. And I want to

be here as long as I can.

That's all for now!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely, 

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

Home is where the heart is.

Home. What does it mean to be home?

home

n.

1. A place where one lives; a residence.

If we go by this definition, then my home 

is technically in Redondo Beach, California.

But to me, home is SO much bigger than that.

To me, home is where the heart is.

Home is where you feel like- well, you.

You're comfortable in your own skin,

like thats where you belong.

To me, Guam is home.

I've always felt like that,

but since I've been here, I've figured out why.

The people, the place, the way of life,

It's just the way I want to live.

California always holds a special place in my heart,

and I'm obviously going back when my time here is done,

but being here just makes me realize that I belong here.

If you have had the amazing opportunity to find this 

place that you call home, take advantage of that.

I'm so fortunate to not only be from this place,

but to be able to spend so much time here.

I love California, but this is home, and will always be.

That's all for now!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

Freak Out

I may have had a slight freak out the other night.

I was disgusted.

Scratch that, I was terrified.

I was sitting there, minding my own business,

when I heard a scurrying next to me.

I took a peak out of the corner of my eye and 

I saw something I have known I would see someday

during my time here on Guam.

What was it?

A cockroach.

Yes, I admit it.

I freaked out over an insect.

But you should have seen this thing.

This thing was almost two inches long.

Just scurrying on the window.

Oh, gosh.

Even thinking about makes me itchy.

Well, thats all for now!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely, 

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

Coconut Delight.

Probably the most delicious food on guam is 

the one that is free, coconut.

Yes. It's true.

Soy sauce DOES go with everything.

Even Coconut.

The Five Steps Of Deliciousness.

Step 1. Take a young coconut and split it in the middle.

Step 2. Take a metal spoon and get all the coconut meat free of the shell.

Step 3. Pour a generous amount of soy sauce over the coconut meat.

Step 4. Squeeze out a penny-sized amount of wasabi horseradish onto the coconut meat.

Step 5. Mix the wasabi and the soy sauce together.

Step 6. Dig in to the delicious snack.

When I first heard that the tourists wanted soy sauce when they

were buying the young coconuts. I laughed and 

thought "yuck!" But boy, don't underestimate the

power of soy sauce. I was amazed when I took the first bite.

Jaw dropped, in disbelief, sort of amazed.

Coconut meat + Soy Sauce + Wasabi Horseradish = Pure joy.

That's all for now!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely, 

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

P.S.

How much would someone

 have to pay you to eat this?

Sand Between My Toes.

              
                For the past two Sundays, I've been going across the street to the beach. The first time, I snorkeled. The fish were absolutely beautiful, and the cucumber slugs were slimy as ever. The second time, I sat on the beach and took pictures, such as the one shown here, made hermit crab races, or Duk Duk Races with my cousin Taby, and just sat on the sand, enjoying myself.

                Today, I worked at Gef Pa'go again and as the tourist's were leaving, one woman asked to take a picture with me. I was pleasantly surprised, and agreed, of course. That has never happened to me. The other tour guides said this happens all the time, and that I should get used to it, because it will happen again. I'm not sure I can ever get used to that. Not in a bad way. In fact, a very good way. Its just... unexpected.

                 I'm finally getting the hang of the rope making. As a tour guide, I turn two handles as part of the rope making process. As I turn the handles, tightening the smaller ropes, those ropes twine together, making a bigger rope on the other side of the mechanism. This new, bigger rope, can pull up to 300 pounds. Quite strong, I'd say.


That's all for now!
Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,
Me.
Simply, a seventeen year old.

P.S.
Comment please! Thanks (:

The Island Way.

I have noticed something about Guam...

Something I've never seen anywhere else 

in my entire life.

What I have noticed is that everybody,

whether they are young children, teenagers, adults, or elders,

they all have a certain way they interact.

It is a must for people to respect their elders, 

but they joke around more than

I have ever seen before. It's not because 

they have a good sense of humor, 

well, all chamorro's have a good sense of humor,

but because it's just... The Island Way.

They know when to be serious, but they

also know that laughter is the best medicine.

They always have a joke going, a laugh for all to enjoy.

If the whole world was like this, everyone would be

happy all the time. It just puts me in a good mood

to be in this kind of atmosphere. 

You can't possibly be upset when you 

laugh and joke around all day with 

people you love.

That's all for now!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

P.S.

Comment please! It would be appreciated (:

Chamorro munchkins.

Today, I worked at Gef Pa'go, like everyday.

But today was different. In a good way.

Today, two classes from an elementary school

called Harvest, came to Gef Pa'go on a field trip.

It was so fun to teach these enthusiastic kids,

who lived on the Island, more about the place they came from.

They were so excited to answer all the questions 

about what different tools were called, where different 

things could be found, and how to make the things 

they saw. 

They tried coconut candy, 

a sweet candy made from grated coconut and caramelized sugar,

and sea salt,

a salt made found in pure ocean water after boiling the 

water and letting the water evaporate, leaving

the sea salt.

The ocean water has to be collected beyond the reef,

instead of collecting it right next to Gef Pa'go.

The reason being that the water next to Gef Pa'go 

is a mixture of river water and ocean water.

Both the coconut candy and the sea salt are made at Gef Pa'go, 

using the same methods that were used many generations ago.

After the students learned how to make coconut candy, 

sea salt, rope and woven bags, hats and fans,

they played various games. 

-Hermit Crab Races, 

known as "duk duk" races by the locals

-Coconut Relay Race, 

done by forming two lines and having both lines 

pass the coconut over the head than under the legs, 

or having them hop to the finish line with 

a coconut between their legs.

I was told there would be many 

field trips happening in the month of

March. I can't wait. It's exhausting, but fun.

That's all for now!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely, 

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

P.S.

Comment, I won't bite. 

Hard...

Rain, Rain, Go Away.

Guam is supposed to be in dry season.

That, my friends, is definitely not the case.

Since monday, it's been raining on and off.

Last night and most of today it rained so hard.

I was at Gef Pa'go, 

(which, if you didn't know, is completely outside) 

getting poured on. 

I am using all my 11:11 wishes on the hope that it will not rain.

Mission: No Rain is in full effect! 

Well, thats the weather report with Carly! Stay tuned for more.

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely, 

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

P.S
Don't be shy, comment!

Hearts and Coconuts.

I hope everyone's valentines was amazing.

Mine was great, for the sole reason of where I am: Guam.

I haven't posted since Honolulu, almost a week. 

It's not that I've been busy, because I really haven't been at all.

I was basically just waiting for something to happen, 

something worth blogging about.

I started my training at Gef Pa'go yesterday. 

I hope that's blog worthy enough.

It's been fun, actually. I know I have a lot to learn. 

I will try to blog about what I learn.

I'm still struggling with the coconut husking. 

It takes a lot of upper body strength, which I lack.

At Gef Pa'go, a lot of weaving from coconut tree leaves takes place.

I only know how to make a little fish, even that is really hard for me.

This is what weaving a fish looks like.

I'm not sure where you would find coconut palm to do this, 

but it's cool to know how its done.

Well, that's all for now!

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely, 

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

Hello my dear, Hawaii.

Well. Here I am.
In Waikiki, O'ahu.

It's so beautiful here. Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous!

I was supposed to pass right through Honolulu airport and be on a plane to Guam right now, but the plane quickly filled up and I was bumped to a later flight. Tomorrow.

I'm more than okay with that. Who doesn't want to take a break in Hawaii and just have fun?

I have to go to the airport tomorrow around 1:30pm and take a seven and a half hour flight to Guam.

Like I said, I can't wait!

So, the hotel is nice, we can see a small peek of the ocean from the balcony, and the weather is just amazing.

I couldn't be happier<3

Sincerely,
Me.
Simply, a seventeen year old.

Wish upon a star.

A Single Wish

If you could have a single wish
And you knew that your wish would come true...
Would you use it for riches,
Or wish for more wishes,
Or cures for diseases you knew?

Well, I was given a single wish,
And I knew what I wanted, oh, please!
Now either I mumbled...
Or the wish-granter stumbled...
But anyone want some whirled peas?

-Gregory K.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

I can't even wrap my own head around it.

I will be halfway around the world,  

wearing shorts and flip flops on Guam.

What to pack:

*Flip flops 

*Shorts

*Bathing suit

*Another bathing suit

yupp... sounds about right to me.

Speaking of packing, I better get started on that.

Comment telling me where you would like to go right now, if you had the choice.

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

One million memories.

3 days.

2 flights.

6 weeks

1 family.

1,000,000 amazing memories.

I can't wait.

   For those of you who don't know how to get to Guam

or how long it takes, let me give you a layout of the flights.

5 hours from L.A to Hawaii.

layover, not sure how long it will last yet.

7 1/2 hour flight from Hawaii to Guam.

And I thought the drive from L.A to Sonora was long.

Sincerely, 

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

Please comment, its nice to know who reads this stuff.

Just can't resist.

I have made a discovery:

I love blogging.

Surprised?

I'm not.

For as long as I can remember, I have been writing stories, writing in diaries, and just putting my thoughts down. Blogging is just natural for me, I guess.

I have decided to try to write a blog entry everyday, excluding travel days and some weekends.

One thing you may or may not know is that I absolutely love photography.

With that, I have decided to post a photograph that I appreciate for whatever reason every single time I blog. Somedays, the photos may be ones I have taken while enjoying my time on Guam, or ones I find online. Either way, I promise to post one.

Sincerely,

Me.

Simply, a seventeen year old.

What's next in my journey?

Well, I'm going to Guam in one week exactly!
My excitement cannot even be explained. I can't wait to see my family, swim in the clear blue waters, and become a guide at a historic village known as Gef Pa'go Park. 
I can't wait to share the culture of my people with whoever will listen. 


Check out the website for Gef Pa'go here. 


Why am I going to be a guide at this cultural village? Because my grandmother, Judy Flores, was one of the founders who helped create it and this is an amazing oppurtunity to 1) get away and have a little fun, and 2) learn a ton about the place where I'm from.
It doesn't hurt that I will get school credit for learning about the history and culture of Guam.


Thanks for reading! 
I promise, next time I write, it will be much less boring and much more exciting.
I'l finally be in Guam!


CarlyAnna