United Roots Event-Island Night at The Jet Club

Me, stay out until 2:30 AM? Unheard of, at least in the last ten years (I even wore contacts, that's major). But, being a part of United Roots, a group gelling to promote Guam/Marianas culture, I did. I'm happy to be connected to a group of twelve talented Chamorros/Guamanians. Just sharing the Animoto videos I created to commemorate last night's fun.

Biba, Chamorro! Biba, Guam! Biba, Ma Tulaika! And, Biba, to cha cha dancing in a 2' x 5' space. It was awesome to see our elders smile, dance, and enjoy.

I Am Divergent.

"I was born into a faction of sorts. Two if you want to be exact. If you were to peg me into the two Roth defined factions, it would be Erudite (The Intelligent) and Abnegation (The Selfless)."

In many ways I am Divergent. I read the first two books of Veronica Roth's trilogy and I thoroughly enjoyed all 180 minutes of the movie. Theo James as Four and Shailene Woodley as Tris, hit the mark. Their chemistry was real and I was sucked in. Before I saw the movie, I wrote up a guest post for the blog, Tales From Pasifika.

Read my GUEST POST here about how this woman feels Divergent.

CHE'LU's 4th Annual Chamorro Cultural Fest March 2013

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.

Like Chelu Sd on Facebook here.

Visit their website here.

Si Yu'os Ma'ase!/Thank you.



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Esta Later!

Hello 2013, Goodbye Agatha!

The Year of the Dragon brought forth an upheaval for me and my family. A major move from sunny San Diego to the Pacific Northwest in October made me feel like a rolling stone, but now that we’ve found a home we love and we are unpacking, I’m left feeling further removed from my culture and my island. There is no shortage of wonderful Chamorro family and friends here in Washington State, much like SoCal, but as my mother stressed upon hearing about our move, “You’ll be further from Guam now!”

Does calling Washington State my home betray my culture and my ties to Guam? I feel guilt when I merely think that this home we just moved into will be the home I envision myself and my family flourishing in for the long haul. I want to establish roots in this nice town we’ve invaded, but does that mean I’m turning my back on Guam, my family there, the home-island roots I love?

We’ve partied in our home numerous times with said Chamorros and loved every second. We speak of people we know and discovered that we are connected in many ways. The people we gravitated to here are the parents of two of my former students, wonderful A students who are now successful adults.

The pace of our new town is reminiscent of Guam, slower, calmer and easier; and different from California. Don't get me started on the wonderful air quality and the fact that Bruce Lee made this his home and final resting place, or the fact that grunge was born here...oh, the concerts I want to enjoy! I will mention the snow covered mountains are gorgeous this time of year, and the great wall of evergreen trees on my freeway drive is picturesque. Like Mother Nature is giving me a big hug.

Our home now is larger and cheaper than our home in SoCal too. I feel guilty when I update on Facebook with pictures and words about my new home because I feel like I’m offending and hurting my SoCal family.

But, as someone wise told me, “If you are truly happy here, then who cares what others think.” Maybe it’s the people pleaser in me (a small, diminutive lady who has her hair in a careful bun and cat eye frame glasses, she wears a gray pencil skirt and buttoned up top, clipboard in hand to keep tabs of whom she might offend with her actions)….I guess I need to put her away for now and be the barefoot, wind in the hair wild child I want to be.

This new town makes sense to me and my family. Our furniture even makes better sense in this house. So, with 2013 at our new doorstep, I’m going to live out my potential. I’m going to enjoy my new state. I’m going to tell that little people pleaser, let’s call her Agatha, to hush it, zip it, put a pin in it. I’m going to fully sit in this gorgeous state, rainy days and all and enjoy.

ESTA LATER and Happy New Year! Biba 2013!