I am an AUTHOR, hear my words ROAR! My life is a garden of treasures, just doing some weeding to find my balance. Yin and Yang. Writing is my soul....This is the Official Blog of Author, Tanya Taimanglo (Secret Shopper).
The tragic irony of the event on Guam has me pondering. The suspect's actions are not a reflection of one group of friends, one family, one school or one island--it is a reflection of the entire world. I believe in ripple effects and we need to be kind to each other. I still ♥ Guam.
The above was my simple Facebook status update regarding the tragedy on Guam. The suspect’s name was immediately sifted out of the drama and comments exploded on Facebook.
Article links, pictures and hate spewed. The article's headline says it all, Tumon stabbings: 14 injured after crash, knife attack outside Outrigger.
I’m one to watch, wait, research. I saw the suspect's face. I saw his name being slung around. I visited the Youtube video he was involved with and much of the same hatred was in the comments.
One might say that since I left Guam in 2004, that I have no say in these events, but Guam is still my home-island. I have family and friends I still love dearly there. I taught at JFKHS. I frequented that very spot in Tumon where the tragedy happened. I’ve been in that ABC Store and the surrounding businesses.
I’m not speaking on specific legislation or punishment for this suspect, because I don’t know the facts. I do know that people have lost their lives. I do know that some victims were tourists. I do know that the government is scrambling on how to spin this so Guam doesn’t lose its livelihood.
Is anyone really safe? Is the best reaction violence? Is this suspect’s family and friends going to be targeted? I would hope not.
I can only pray that the island can learn and evolve from this. Not degrade into more evil.
Hafa Adai! Guam Goddess in Training here just sharing the official flier for CHE'LU's 4th Annual Chamorro Cultural Fest! Chamorro Hands in Education Links Unity or CHE'LU is a non-profit organization based in San Diego. They put their hearts and souls into this wonderful celebration of the Chamorro culture. The Board consists of dedicated volunteers who work hard to put on the only Chamorro festival of its kind in San Diego.
Please support them by simply attending, enjoying music, culture and mungi (delicious) food. March 23, 2013, Saturday, 10-6PM (Market Creek Plaza 310 Euclid Ave. San Diego 92114) with an evening concert by Hafa Adai Entertainment at 8PM.
I regret that this will be my first time not attending, but something about being a Navy wife and transferring to the chilly PacNorWest came into play.
“Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future.”-Albert Camus
Owners, Chris and Melody welcomed us into their wonderful Chamorro Filipino restaurant. We are fortunate that they are just one city south of where we live. The food was excellent. My family and I enjoyed the friendly service, the openness of the lay out and the flavors of our dishes. We had fried rice, chicken kelaguen, kelaguen wraps, lumpia, shrimp patties and a trio of barbecue (feel free to grab a napkin to wipe your drool now).
The gracious owner took the time to speak to us, and naturally as all Chamorros do, we rattled off names of people who may connect us and we found many. We ordered latiya for dessert and it was scrumptious, but my daughter was most excited about the titiyas and butter (she did a chant, danced in her seat and held the titiyas in the air like it was Simba of the Lion King).
We spent two hours there, dining, conversing and connecting. Chamaole’Pino has embodied the Chamorro Filipino spirit that other restaurants aspire to.
I also met with a fellow Chamorro author, Stephen Tenorio (author of Ocean in a Cup). We were middle school classmates (dear god, about 27 years ago) and it was great reconnecting face to face.
Anyone, Chamorro/Filipino or not who loves Guam should check out Chamaole’Pino (607 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA). And I appeal to anyone who wants to experience a taste of Guam and the Philippines, this is the place to do that.
Si Yu’os Ma’ase, Chris and Melody! We will be definitely back for more of your mungi fixings!
When I was a wee lass, at the age of 32, ahem. I was busy with a new baby and living a life in San Diego away from Guam. One day, my wonderful husband came home and said, “How would you like to eat sandwiches for free AND get paid?”
It was the most romantic thing he had ever said to me. (I kid).
So, I did a quick, over the phone interview, sounding as eloquent as I could. Guaranteeing my 1 ½ year old would behave when I would evaluate restaurants, and that I could speak and write ‘good’. (I kid).
So, I did this for almost 4 years. Secret Shopping.A shoppers dream come true, right?
Except, I wasn’t a shopper by nature. I would rather be sitting on those benches in department stores with the weary husbands, resting my feet while my spouse hunted and gathered. What I did have going for me were my powers of observation and the great skill of writing quick, dull-only the facts, ma’am write ups. I was paid between $8.00 and $12.00 a report, mileage sometimes included. I made over $800.00 one month and was over the moon. I expanded from popular sub-sandwich shops to tacos. Then as they trusted my skills more, I was given banks and credit unions. Oh, joy! So, with about a hundred bucks per institution (never my own money) I opened nearly ten bank accounts in a two week span. I asked my boss, “Are you sure I won’t get flagged by the authorities?” I used my real name at each institution, and I was nervous at first having so many bank books to juggle. But, I became better at looking like just a regular customer.
My targets then expanded to phone calls, which was a relief as I birthed my second child during my stint as a spy secret shopper.
I enjoyed these because my spy lying skills were flexed. When the representative would ask for my name, I could be anyone! So, during the height of the Twilight obsession, I was every female character, except for Renesme.
“Hi, I’m Bella.”
“Hi, I’m Alice.”
“Hi, I’m Rosalie.”
Being half-Korean, I was given all the overseas banks at military bases in Japan and Korea. The mere mortals found it hard speaking to representatives who spoke English as a second language. I, on the other hand, was raised by a beautiful Korean mom who also spoke and sometimes slaughtered the English language. (Think of Margaret Cho’s comedic imitations of her Korean mom’s accent-snippet below). I had those special powers and those calls paid well.
Last week, I decluttered my new office, making it more conducive and feng shui-ish for my writing flow. I found a huge stack of evaluations from my secret shopping days. I was glad for the experience and the opportunity to write, but I was also glad to shred and recycle this 100 pound stack of paper.
Moving forward. When I told the company I worked for that I was no longer going to do evaluations so I can pursue writing full time (this was just before Attitude 13 and Sirena were released), my handler said, “Oh, well, good luck with that. But in case that doesn’t pan out, you can always come back to us." Them fighting words! I thought to myself. So, today I announced on Facebook and here that I will be moving forward. I’m thankful for the literary guidance of other authors like Lani Wendt Young and Carlene Rae Dater. I’m thankful for the self-publishing opportunity Amazon’s Createspace provides. I’m thankful for the many beta-writers I’ve had for the first novel I’m releasing soon.
In addition, I’m thankful for the wealth of experience that espionage secret shopping gave me, since it is a highlight in the novel, aptly entitled, Secret Shopper.
I’m working on a kick ass cover, drafts actually, drawing and coloring really, with my children, but I’m excited. Doing final edits of this manuscript that is almost three years old and in it’s fourth draft. Secret Shopper by Tanya Taimanglo is ripe and about ready for the pickings. I hope the world is ready for the strong Chamorrita lead this novel offers. More to come!
If you plan to be in San Diego in March, celebrate with CHE'LU at the 4th Annual Chamorro Cultural Fest, March 23, 2013. Tell 'em Guam Goddess in Training sent ya'!
When you're a Geek Girl and something you post on Lynda Carter's Facebook fan page gets attention, what do you do? You blog about it.
Yes, it could be an assistant responding, but let me relish in the fact that it might have been theWonder Woman, my childhood (ahem, and adulthood) hero who typed the simple smiley face for a Justice League coloring page I posted.
In September 2012, I posted like a real Geek Girl should, a photo of me in a WW cape. When 'Lynda Carter' liked it...whew, I was excited, only to find out that it was a lovely Latina who looks like her, loves Wonder Woman like me, but not the real deal. It was still nice....
Off my little Wonder Woman podium. Thanks for letting me share.
When I was 19, I took my first strides to being a writer. I was a sophomore at the University of Guam on a clear path to getting my degree in English and Secondary Education. My calling was literature, the beacon that took any spare moment of my time. I was reading and appreciating poetry and literature.
So, at 19, I pulled out my yellow notebook, wire ring and all, and outlined the story I was eager to flesh out. In my head, the entire book played out, the beginning scenes solidified on paper. I still have that notebook and the story is still swimming in my head. Its relevance and marketability now are questionable since I concocted it in the 90s. Jet City Woman. That was the title (I listened to Queensryche). Lynn Crow. The main character.
Aside from domestic goddess duties, Navy wife duties and weaving through our new Washingtonian status in Pac NorWest, I wake up every morning with the intent and sometimes a plan to write. Yesterday, I edited two chapters of my 2/3 finished novel.
I am impatient and distracted and with each full moon, hormonal.
My daughter and I just feasted on s’mores, so now I’m energized and feeling guilty about being sidetracked. I’ve also spent part of my morning watching Kevin Smith’s Too Fat for Forty. I folded clothes and enjoyed the first of three hours, saving the rest for later. I also ordered his book, Tough Sh*t: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good. I’m all about him right now, trying to squeeze out wisdom from his comedic and vulgar delivery.
In addition, thanks to CNN’s coverage of hot right now on YouTube videos, I came across Tom Fletcher. He’s a singer with the British group, McFly. His wedding speech, all 14.41 minutes of it was charming, engaging, entertaining and romantic. When I stumble upon a lead, I investigate everything encompassing that subject, so I’ve watched a number of McFly’s music videos, loving some of their catchy tunes.
So, Kevin Smith and McFly factor into this whole crazy process of writing. Sure, experts tell you to treat it like a job, sit for an hour or whatever prescribed time and just write. I did that with NaNoWriMo in November and I know I can sit and crank it out, but the creative process can be complicated. My interest in Kevin Smith and McFly right now will color my writing in some way, I’m sure. The creative process for me is more than just sitting my butt down in front of my laptop and pounding away.
I am suffering from literary constipation if you must. Something is brewing and when it’s ripe, the words will flow easier. (Like the visual in your head? Yep, that's what writers do)...
My first draft of a romantic comedy flowed easily. This was 2009. I was excited to share with two women who were part of a free writing group I joined at my local library. I printed them each a copy and we even met over coffee to discuss. I felt vulnerable since these women didn’t really know me as a person, but was honored that they had taken the time to read my crap. I call it crap endearingly, because the first drafts, let alone the first book you write are just that. I voiced this to the women when they didn’t give me a solid critique like I hoped. One lady only read the first 20 pages and the other, although she wrote notes, said “I only skimmed, sorry.” In my self-deprecating ways, I remembered walking back to the library, carrying the returned manuscripts, and said, “Well, writing is like taking a big dump. Once it’s out, you have to figure out what to do with it.”
I recall the two ladies looking at each other, laughing, “Did you really say that?”
Anyone who knows me truly knows I make the weirdest, sometimes vulgar analogies. It’s how I roll.
The only thing of value I have in this life is my ability to tell a story, whether in print, orating, writing it down or having people acting it out. That's why I'm always hoping society never collapses because the first ones to go will be entertainers. --Kevin Smith
Anyway, I’m experiencing writing/literary constipation. I walk around my domestic life hoping for a sliver of time to write. Yeah, yeah, I’m blogging right now, but it’s all part of the grander creative process. I’m figuring out what project to tackle, taking in Kevin Smith and McFly’s music in the background to get my gears going again. I’m doing the warm up to the marathon writing session I know is around the corner.
Needless to say, I’ll be 39 in a few months. Twenty years after I made a conscious choice to be a writer. I am one. But, I’m hoping the cumulative effect of my life will help me produce literary nuggets I can be proud of.
