It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I can't believe this will be our 4th Christmas in the tropics.

Ahhh - I remember how ridiculous all the evergreen looked on the island our first year. It really bothered me how pointedly fake it all looked amongst the rest of the tropical flora and fauna.

Now - we just go with the flow.
(And ooh/ahh a bit over the tiny gecko eggs that filled the ornament box this year!)

On Friday - David mentioned this is the first year he can remember on Guam feeling the anticipation of "Holiday Spirit"

And I don't think it's because we have an ample supply of imported Stephen's cocoa!

Instead of looking forward to Temple Square - it's Skinner Plaza.

(photo courtesy of PDN)

In lieu of ice skating at Gallivan Center - it's GPO.

(never mind that you could literally miss it if you sneeze while walking by)

There's a lot to be said about the magnitude of traditions.

Tuesday's distraction

Having the old airstrip behind our house is a novelty that never gets old.

In addition to making a perfect foreground for nightly sunsets

It serves as a great biking trail, WWII exploration, running track, and evening doggy walk.

It's also used as an active helo pad for this end of the island.

(photo: summer 2006 - Amanda's visit)

We've grown accustomed to hearing the helicopters come and go - but yesterday's EOD exercise was exceptionally interesting.

To watch these guys come and go was fascinating!

Kind of makes parasailing pale in comparison, doesn't it.

Nature or Nurture?

Molly thinks she's a bunn!

Why?

Sleep was considered pretty much sacred in my household growing up. Naps were a necessary part of life and my family understood and respected that.
Even now when I go "home" - I can always count on a long uninterrupted nap on my mom's bed.
So why is it that I can't get that same quality nap with my own family?

I tell the fam, "I'm deliriously sick. I have to take a nap."
David responds with his cavalier, "You go ahead hon. I'll take care of everything out here."

Just as I finally drift off (after trying to tune out David's constant ringing of the work phone) I hear:

"Mom, I'm not waking you up - but I have a Mesopotamian project that's due in the morning."

10 minutes later:
"Mom" (in a not so whisperish whisper), "what's for dinner? (note: this was at 1 in the afternoon) I'm not hungry now - just wondering . . . ."

7 minutes later:
Molly whining at the door wanting to come in.
Still whining combined with pawing.
Whining until someone finally opens it and lets her in.

3 minutes later:
"Mom - can you make me some pizza rolls since dinner's not for another 3 hours and 22 minutes?" (giving up on that whisperish whisper completely)

I give up. It's more work to try and get a nap than it's really worth.
I figured David must have gone in to the hospital so I may as well take care of things.
Nope - he was cozy as can be on the couch in front of the t.v. - asleep with the remote in hand.

Why is it that the fam doesn't think to ever bug dad!

Completely useless information

Molly is up to 3 pounds . . . .

Guam has the absolute largest snails on the planet.!

David brought me flowers the other day.
He wanted "something different".
The ants were included free of charge . . . .

And we still don't have orders!

Living on this tiny island . . .

Living on this tiny island sometimes means going without:

*Target

*Presidential election voting

*Taco shells at Taco Bell (Rebecca Brown's OOG moment)

*shiny metal surfaces

But living on this tiny island gave us the opportunity to meet Anna Kournikova!

And we got Madi's tennis racket signed.

















How's that for an afternoon assembly. . . . .
Thanks USO!

Tagged (A.K.A. It's all so random)

In true multi tasking fashion - I'm combining those who tagged me (Tara, Brandi, Amy) into one post:

1. I hate it when David falls asleep before me.
I have envied it almost every night for the past 15 years - and I'm not anticipating the next 15 years to be any different. He can fall asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow (or the airplane headrest, the couch, etc.)

2. I missed out on Saturday morning cartoons growing up. But I don't feel bad . . . .
I was in a children's performing/singing group and practice was held every Saturday from 7-10 am. I loved it!

3. My little sister and I would spend countless hours filming cooking shows, newscasts, whatever. Having a video camera was such a novelty back then (not to mention a bit cumbersome)

4. Vacuuming and ironing are both very therapeutic for me. Such an immediate sense of accomplishment! It also serves as endless fodder for my sisters to tease me.

5. To this day - I really don't like playing the violin. Or the thought of school orchestra (shudder!)

6. I love to play Nertz! A sweet friend taught us how to play it when we were evacuated from our house during the horrible San Diego wildfires in the fall of '03. It's been a family favorite ever since. There is not one bad feeling or thought that is associated with that game. Just fun.

7. When I take a nap I can't force myself to climb all the way into bed. I can sleep ON the bed with a blanket. But the sheets - strictly a nighttime indulgence. No matter how much it kills my family. hahaha

To keep the game (meme) going, I tag Sidney, Heidi, and Sam.