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...