Memorial Day 2007

Beyond just "rainy season," the weather is drizzly, overcast, and windy. A tropical storm about 300 miles southeast of Guam is setting the mood today. And it's probably appropriate for a day that, for many, brings memories and tears.

Check out this web site for a tribute to our fallen comrades:
http://www.freedomsonme.com

A Quiet Stay-At-Home Evening

This weekend was another fun-packed weekend in Guam. Gregg left in the wee hours of Sunday morning to catch a plane to Vietnam with a friend because I couldn't get time off from work due to staffing issues. We woke up just a few hours later to run the Guam Adventist Academy's 5K where Drew took first place in the 6-8 year old male category. If you look at the opening photo, Drew and I are about 5 people behind the kid in the light green shirt and blue shorts. But you can't see us because we're short.

I got a call from Dr B last night to go in on a SANE case, but it was nearly 9 o'clock at night. I had to decline the offer because all my babysitters are around 14 years of age and it was a Sunday night. The two neighbors I thought I could request a huge favor from are currently off-island and I'm not friendly enough with my other neighbors to ask this big a favor (not unless it was a mass casualty event, in which case most anybody on the street would be willing to help out). So, maybe next time.

Then, this evening I was supposed to meet at the Mermaid Tavern with all the other Nurse Corps officers to break bread with Admiral Bruzek-Kohler, but I forgot I needed a babysitter. Try calling around at 5:00 on a Monday evening. No one is home. So, I missed out on this face-time opportunity.

On a plus, my article celebrating the 100th birthday of the Navy Nurse Corps was published in the Pacific Navigator!

The 108th Sub Ball in Guam

The 108th Submarine Ball was a blast as always as everyone got dressed up in their party clothes and remembered those who went before. They remember all 52 submarines and it is very poignant to remember those who never came home. When I played the organ for the Pearl Harbor Submarine Chapel, we paid tribute each Sunday to those who were "still on patrol." We would sing the first verse of the Navy Hymn and then sing the verse unique to submariners:

Bless those who serve beneath the deep,
Through lonely hours their vigil keep.
May peace their mission ever be,
Protect each one we ask of thee.
Bless those at home who wait and pray,
For their return by night or day.

Lieutenant Alayna Schwartz was able to get away from the Mother-Baby Unit long enough to sing the National Anthem which just gave everyone goose pimples, she was that good. Of course, what would you expect from someone who gets a perfect score on Karaoke Revolution?

Drew Betters his Time in the Run for the Son 5K

Drew bettered his time in the Run for the Son 5K sponsored by the Archdiocese of Agana on Saturday, 5 April 2008, completing it in a blistering 25:09. I lagged a few minutes behind, coming in at 28:16---not bad, considering I only ran on Monday morning because I caught strep and spent the rest of the week feeling very tired. Drew made the PDN again, this time with a black-and-white photo accompanying the runner places.

It was a week characterized by priorities for me. I wanted to present a revamped Powerpoint for the Diabetes Self-Management Education class I facilitate and that needed to be ready for Tuesday's 0900 class. I then had two presentations on Thursday for the University of Guam's senior nursing leadership class: "Motivating and Developing Staff" and "Evaluating Staff Performance."

Friday was the new session for judo and I wanted to donate some hours to G.A.I.N.'s annual spay and neuter efforts on Saturday, especially since I had gotten approval to do a story from the editor of the Guam Pacific Stars and Stripes newspaper.

I'm also spending this next week TAD in a course titled, "Clinic Management." I have homework due for that as well and I'll work on it tomorrow after we're done scoping. When I made my return flight, I went ahead and decided I would run for the airport: the class ends at 1130 and my flight leaves at 1400. Fortunately, the airport is practically down the street from the class site, and I'm hoping that the instructor says they've had positive experiences with other students in this situation. In any case, Gregg was aghast that I would schedule things so tightly. I told him I don't get back until Saturday evening and if I waited until Saturday to fly, I wouldn't get home until Sunday. I go to work on Monday and I just didn't want to have my whole weekend blown. As it is, I miss out on a 5K, two judo classes, and a mentoring session with my senior nursing student from UOG.

Anna has spent the weekend putting aloe lotion on her back and ibuprofen in her mouth because of a major sunburn she got while snorkeling at Polaris Point. "I've learned my lesson," she declared. "No more spray-on SPF!" She got up with us on Saturday because she couldn't sleep, but I couldn't persuade her to run.

Drew had Jack and Ben stay over last night and all of them reported they were awake until after 2 in the morning. However, Gregg disputed this, saying they were all asleep before midnight.

Pastor Fred suggested we prayerfully consider using our free round-trip tickets to Manila to assist with the Volunteers in Mission project to build a church near Manila in late July-early August. Gregg and I will have to talk about this more in-depth; it would be a wonderful opportunity and it also falls at the worst time of the year (and in a place normally off-limits to military personnel without connections to the Philippines). We'll keep you posted on what we finally decide.

My Review of adidas Supernova Run Skort Womens

Originally submitted at Dick's Sporting Goods

The adidas® Supernova® women's run skort is a comfortable and versatile option for all your morning runs. It's crafted using the moisture-wicking ClimaCool® performance fabric that draws sweat away from your skin for quick and easy ventilation to keep you cool and dry. The flatlock seam...

adidas Supernova Run Skort Womens

Fabulous Running Skort!

By EmKay from Santa Rita, Guam on 3/25/2008

 

4out of 5

Fit: Feels true to size

Pros: Breathable, Lightweight, Stylish, Allows Free Movement, Comfortable

Cons: Waist not adjustable

Best Uses: Warm Weather, Casual Wear, Running, Competition

Describe Yourself: Competitive Athlete

I plan on wearing this to make me look as good as I feel during my morning runs and to out-psyche the competition on those weekly 5K races here in Guam! The skirt sits a little lower on my waist than I am used to; I wish it fit a little snugger. The skort is much shorter than other running skorts I have tried on; however, it appears that it is just as flattering, if not more so, than my current running skort wardrobe. If the feel of a hem against your thighs while running might distract you, consider this skirt for its shorter length.

(legalese)

My Review of Marika Adrenaline Pleated Mod Mini Womens

Originally submitted at Dick's Sporting Goods

The Marika® Adrenaline Pleated Mod women's mini skirt is a cute option for your next tennis match or workout. It's crafted using a built-in short with a moisture-wicking fabrication that draws sweat away from your body to help keep you cool and dry. The pleated design creates some added flair, ...

Marika Adrenaline Pleated Mod Mini Womens

Pleated Mod Mini Too Cute to Run in

By EmKay from Santa Rita, Guam on 3/25/2008

 

4out of 5

Fit: Feels too big

Waist: Feels too big

Length: Feels too long

Pros: Attractive Design, Comfortable, Versatile, Flattering

Cons: Too big

Best Uses: To School, On a Date

Describe Yourself: Bargain Shopper, Classic, Career, Eclectic

I am 5 ft tall and weigh 95 lbs. I like to run. I thought this skirt would make me look good while I run (or to wear to work before I change into scrubs). Unfortunately, the skirt would need someone about 4-6 inches taller and 10-15 lbs heavier to look fabulous in it. This WOULD be a great skirt for a casual event where you need to look alternately chic and be able to play a pick-up game of ultimate frisbee. There's nothing wrong with this skirt except it appears to run large. At this price, it's definitely a bargain and I would recommend going one size smaller than your normal size.

(legalese)

Easter Weekend and the GIAA 5K for Make-a-Wish Foundation

Today was our first hilly run since the New Year. Running Ypao is tough for the hills that only go up (well, maybe it just FEELS that way). Drew only added a minute to his normal run time and part of the problem was he ran the wrong way. His time was 26:42. I managed to come in at 28:53. At least this is better than the times I turned in previously at this site. I thought I didn't have anything left coming around the parking lot, but at the end, I thought, "I could have pushed it a little more." I am going to have make up my mind whether I truly want to commit to the pain of getting my run time down another 3 minutes....

We came back and I enjoyed a cup of hot chai and read my newspapers. I love this habit and can remember fighting over newspaper sections with my parents. They would read at the kitchen table and I would read on the living room floor, then we'd trade sections. I can't seem to get Anna or Drew interested in reading the paper, and for Gregg, it's a mere cursory glance.

MWR held an Easter Egg Hunt at 1000 at Orote Point so I took Anna and Drew. We just made it in time and Anna managed to snag only two eggs. In an effort to be healthy, the eggs were filled with plastic toys like kooshes and crayons.


Gregg has been sick this weekend; he thinks it's from Tarza---I think it's just going around because colleagues have been sick at work and the flu is still trending strong in the mainland.

I have been listening to kd lang sing Leonard Cohen's song, "Hallelujah" (you might recognize it from "Shrek"). I hadn't paid much attention to kd lang because she started out in country and that wasn't my favorite genre back when. I have to thank Rhonda, one of my university friends who felt called into nursing to help with the AIDS crisis, for introducing this wonderful singer to me.


Easter Sunday started out lazy. I woke at 0510 and couldn't get back to sleep (curse you, 0500 weekday run habit!) and I had the house all to myself for an hour or so. We dressed for church and said farewell to George and Carol Butler who are leaving Guam to live in the mainland. We planted a mango tree in their remembrance; they told us they wouldn't be gone forever. As believers in Christ, we already know that and today was a celebration of that promise.


When we got home, Flea had deposited a little blue mousie on my pillow and this is a picture of him playing with a teal-colored mousie (check out his claws). Drew and Gregg spent the afternoon calibrating the software for the upcoming Pinewood Derby and Anna built a house for Spongebob out of Legos.
PS: Gregg was not thrilled with Drew's outfit because of the mix of stripes and plaids---Drew loves to match colors, but not necessarily patterns. I think he made a spectacular choice for an Easter outfit!