Wow! Today was so fun. God has blessed me with the BEST husband ever. I cannot imagine a better person to explore an island with than my Steve. He is so adventurous and encourages and helps me do more than I would on my own. But I'm ahead of myself. Let's start at the beginning of the day.
We went to the airport and found out that the 40 tentative seats to Guam went to 0, but we weren't the only ones out of luck, the other flights with tentative seats were also canceled. But Steve and I made a day of it. What else would you do stranded on a tropical island, but explore it?!
The island is small and we had a vague map so we decided to go around the entire island. Starting at the base we took route 1 to Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon. If you have been to Cancun, Mexico than you most likely know of the Hotel Zone. This area was the Hotel Zone for Guam, but a much less thrilling, beautiful place. We parked walked to the beach and decided to leave feeling gross and uncomfortable, the smell reminded me of each 3rd world country city I have been to.
Next we went to the War in the Pacific National Historic Park Asan Beach Overlook. "Overlook" isn't actually an overlook in Guam; it merely means a beach you look at that has history. I don't remember what we saw here. The next place we went was Apaca Point. This place was pretty cool. The Japanese built a "pillbox" in the rock for a place to hide with their guns. The guns could shoot out across the shore as the U.S. ships came (obviously not great for the U.S., but nonetheless a cool alcove). There was also a cave where they entered the "pillbox." We also came a cross signs that were a little disturbing, but we trudged on anyway. The signs read: Old bombs and shells can kill! Recognize WWII bombs are dangerous, move away and call 911.
Then we came across Sella Bay, Cetti Bay, and Cetti Bay Overlook. Gorgeous view is all I have to say! Well actually the bays are fresh water and silt which prevents coral growth at it mouth creating the bay openings. From this view we could also see the Cocos Island and resort and Mount Lamlam. From there we headed to Umatac Village. On our way we came across a "scenic view" so we stopped and walked back to the area we assumed was the scenic view. Well it just so happens that while we were walking towards the water, I look back. We saw a house but weren't sure if it was the backyard we were in. When I looked back a HUGE pig was coming straight at me so I got Steve's attention and we walked away quickly and he followed! We ended up loosing him at a grate we had to walk over. Haha Umatac Village had a monument for Magellan, as well as some church ruins and a nice beach alcove where the locals were surfing.
Next we stopped at Merizo Pier Park for a short bit. Got a close up look of the water which was beautiful, but surprisingly not clear like I had thought. By the way chickens and wild dogs roam freely all over Guam which reminded me of Costa Rica. We happily left the chickens at Merizo Pier Park to visit the Inarajan pools. Very cool, natural place to swim. They had a diving board as well.
Talofofo falls and Yokoi's Cave was a very strange amusement park. Only stopped to use the restroom because we didn't feel like paying $20 to see some small waterfalls that will be nothing compared to what we will see in Okinawa. There was also some strange creepy music along with gunshots. Very creepy. We did realize that there was a shooting range at the park, but still a creepy place.
After that we stopped at Jeff's Pirates Cove for a late lunch. It was awesome! First tons of pirate stuff, which was fun, but the best part was sitting and eating with the view. There was beach volleyball, basketball, hammocks, and more (I think it is a camp). Absolutely worth the money it cost for lunch. It was expensive.
Last we drove back around to Hagatna to see the Plaza de Espana. The Spanish inhabited Guam before the Americans and then Japanese. Guam has an interesting history that I'd like to learn more about some day. But for now, I am pooped so I'm going to try and find the Olympics on TV to rest and relax for the rest of the evening.
Pictures are on facebook. We forgot our camera so used the iphone. :)
Comments are welcome!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Okinawa, here we come!
Hey! I decided to write about our adventure to Okinawa. It began July 27th with a 4 hour drive to the McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. From there we were blessed to get on the first flight we tried for the Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. That was a 10 hour flight. After two nights we got a flight to Guam and are enjoying a cheap hotel tonight hoping and praying we get on the flight to Kadena with 40 tentative seats. Pray for us please!
Hawaii presented us with our first disappointment in Space A travel although it was a nice disappointment (oxymoron, I know). We spent two nights, one day on Oahu and loved it! Oh for all those who travel Space A, if you are ever stuck in Hawaii call this number to get a very cheap hotel rate (the airport does not give you the number and neither do the military hotels that are full): 1-800-279-0126. This is a great way to save you money when you don't know how long you'll be there. Granted you may end up with two twin beds like we did, but it was well worth it. Also, rent a car because it is cheaper than 2 taxi rides!
We rode a KC10 on the way to Hawaii. While we were stuck in Hawaii, we went to Duke's Canoe Club to eat per the advice of our friend Kevin R., walked on the beach and enjoyed a gorgeous drive out to Haleiwa on the north shore where we watched a beautiful sunset. We happened to be in Haleiwa during their music festival. When I say music festival, I use the term loosely; it consisted of a restaurant with a live band out back and other random groups of people playing music. One 11 year-old boy was twirling a fire stick (for lack of correct term right now) and doing it quite well!
On our way to Guam, we rode a KC135. It was awesome, but oh sooooo cold! I had a sweatshirt, slipper socks, and a wool blanket, but was still freezing. And just so everyone really knows how cold it was, Steve was cold AND he admits it! We sat on the sides of the plane facing in, so take off was different/fun because we had to use our abs/obliques, or hold on so we didn't fall on the guy next to us. Luckily, Steve was on my left so I didn't really have to do much at all.
After arriving in Guam, we rented a car for super cheap and got a super cheap hotel room. Guam is MUCH cheaper than Hawaii for those who may not know. I mean seriously cheap. The hotel room is only $25 a night with a mini fridge/freezer, microwave, desk, 2 twin beds, 2 comfy chairs, and a bathroom of course. We will be waking up tomorrow bright and early to try and catch our flight to Okinawa! Pray for us please!
Comments are always welcome!
Pictures later when I'm not too tired to upload them to the computer.
Please excuse any misspelled words, typos, run-on sentences, for my body and mind are not used to all the 4 different times zones I have been in the last week or so (including our Arizona trip).
Hawaii presented us with our first disappointment in Space A travel although it was a nice disappointment (oxymoron, I know). We spent two nights, one day on Oahu and loved it! Oh for all those who travel Space A, if you are ever stuck in Hawaii call this number to get a very cheap hotel rate (the airport does not give you the number and neither do the military hotels that are full): 1-800-279-0126. This is a great way to save you money when you don't know how long you'll be there. Granted you may end up with two twin beds like we did, but it was well worth it. Also, rent a car because it is cheaper than 2 taxi rides!
We rode a KC10 on the way to Hawaii. While we were stuck in Hawaii, we went to Duke's Canoe Club to eat per the advice of our friend Kevin R., walked on the beach and enjoyed a gorgeous drive out to Haleiwa on the north shore where we watched a beautiful sunset. We happened to be in Haleiwa during their music festival. When I say music festival, I use the term loosely; it consisted of a restaurant with a live band out back and other random groups of people playing music. One 11 year-old boy was twirling a fire stick (for lack of correct term right now) and doing it quite well!
On our way to Guam, we rode a KC135. It was awesome, but oh sooooo cold! I had a sweatshirt, slipper socks, and a wool blanket, but was still freezing. And just so everyone really knows how cold it was, Steve was cold AND he admits it! We sat on the sides of the plane facing in, so take off was different/fun because we had to use our abs/obliques, or hold on so we didn't fall on the guy next to us. Luckily, Steve was on my left so I didn't really have to do much at all.
After arriving in Guam, we rented a car for super cheap and got a super cheap hotel room. Guam is MUCH cheaper than Hawaii for those who may not know. I mean seriously cheap. The hotel room is only $25 a night with a mini fridge/freezer, microwave, desk, 2 twin beds, 2 comfy chairs, and a bathroom of course. We will be waking up tomorrow bright and early to try and catch our flight to Okinawa! Pray for us please!
Comments are always welcome!
Pictures later when I'm not too tired to upload them to the computer.
Please excuse any misspelled words, typos, run-on sentences, for my body and mind are not used to all the 4 different times zones I have been in the last week or so (including our Arizona trip).
Thursday, July 26, 2012
DIY Hair Cut!
It's been waaayyy too long since I last posted! Although I'm not really sure if anyone really reads my posts, I still enjoy making them here and there. I'm trying to figure out what type of blog I want. Sometimes I like it for updating people on life, but Facebook does that pretty well. Other times I want to be crafty and make it a DIY blog to teach others and then I want to be that super effective teacher who has time to post ideas and share things for other teachers. Today I'm a DIYer.
Back more than 10 years ago when I danced pretty much 5 days a week for 4-5 hours a night, I had this awesome teacher Marlo (who I recently reconnected with on Facebook :) ). She was actually the best teacher for me. I improved more than I ever had and my sister even told me so! Any-who, we adored her and thought she was the coolest. She was in college (I think), was a great dancer, and she cut her own hair. It was gorgeous!
I have always wanted to cut my own hair since knowing her. So I got on Google and typed in "cut your own hair in a pony tail" because that's how Marlo did it. I found this blog (that I can't find now) that explained how to do it, looked at it and thought oh that will be easy. I didn't do it for a few months, afraid it may not work and I wouldn't look like me when meeting all Steve's family so I waited a few months.
Here is how the blog described it but in my own words: hair needs to be wet, brush it upside, put into a tight ponytail on top of your head, turn upside down again, the blog said to make sure to cut it straight so your layers are straight. I don't like it to be obvious, I like my hair to blend so I cut it straight and then cut into it at the bottom how my hair stylist does it so my hair isn't flat/blunt on the bottom. Took it down and I was done! I cut to the bottom layer and didn't actually cut the bottom because I wanted my hair to stay long, but you can cut as short as you want! Here are some pictures, hope you can tell the difference:
Back more than 10 years ago when I danced pretty much 5 days a week for 4-5 hours a night, I had this awesome teacher Marlo (who I recently reconnected with on Facebook :) ). She was actually the best teacher for me. I improved more than I ever had and my sister even told me so! Any-who, we adored her and thought she was the coolest. She was in college (I think), was a great dancer, and she cut her own hair. It was gorgeous!
I have always wanted to cut my own hair since knowing her. So I got on Google and typed in "cut your own hair in a pony tail" because that's how Marlo did it. I found this blog (that I can't find now) that explained how to do it, looked at it and thought oh that will be easy. I didn't do it for a few months, afraid it may not work and I wouldn't look like me when meeting all Steve's family so I waited a few months.
Here is how the blog described it but in my own words: hair needs to be wet, brush it upside, put into a tight ponytail on top of your head, turn upside down again, the blog said to make sure to cut it straight so your layers are straight. I don't like it to be obvious, I like my hair to blend so I cut it straight and then cut into it at the bottom how my hair stylist does it so my hair isn't flat/blunt on the bottom. Took it down and I was done! I cut to the bottom layer and didn't actually cut the bottom because I wanted my hair to stay long, but you can cut as short as you want! Here are some pictures, hope you can tell the difference:
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| Before, see how straight it is at the bottom |
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| Before, the front no layers |
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| The hair I chopped off |
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| After, wet, you can see the angle from side to middle |
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| showing the layers |
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| After, dry, angled again |
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| Now, if only I can learn how to cut my bangs like this so they stay and I will never have to pay for a cut again. |
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