Our Guamazing Adventure

Guam is still, well Guam. I am reminded of the quirks of this crazy place on a regular basis. Last week I thought someone was in our house because of the rustling in the dining room. Turns out it was 2 geckos either mating or playing hide and go seek in our fake plant. Awesome. While checking my email the other day, one was crawling on the wall next to the computer. They are everywhere!!! I told Chris that my biggest fear is that one will try and crawl in my mouth while I'm sleeping. He immediately refuted my fears with "they won't come in the bedroom. You're fine." Despite my rebuttal of the gecko in our bedroom light, he stood strong with the "You're FINE" approach. His assurances have not stopped me from sleeping with my hand covering my mouth, and then yesterday, while changing the sheets, I found a DEAD GECKO in our bed!!!! Can you believe it??? I'm tempted now to put tape on my mouth while I'm sleeping. Although snopes.com says that it's false that the average person swallows 8 spiders a year (which in Guam could translate to Geckos), I'm not buying it...

Other than dead bed geckos, things are good! We have been losing power almost every day, despite the pretty great weather! We have a beach on base that I've been trying to frequent while the lights, internet and phone are out... not a bad trade off.

Friday night was the wives club Bunco (dice game) night. It was 80s themed, so I dusted off the pearl banana clip, bought some hot pink leg warmers to match the 80s skirt and shirt I already proudly owned, and brought out my well recognized competitive side. Pleased to say I won bunco, and then Jolene (Pike), our other neighbor Jessica, and our friend Kristy headed out on the town to meet up with the rest of the squadron guys (including my husband). Although the majority of the people we saw figured it was 80s night somewhere, we did get several compliments from the Japanese tourists who are the very reason the stores here do sell leg warmers... We had a BLAST.

Saturday night our yard neighbors (Pikes) had a bbq. I helped "cater" the event, and my electronically inclined husband was able to get rockband set up outside using a projector. Nothing like seeing the Commanding Officer's wife singing, while the XO's wife played the drums, all projected onto the side of the house. We had a great time, and the margarita maker once again was put to good use for all.

Chris golfed on Saturday and Sunday with Todd (Pike) so Jolene and I hit the beach and had some serious fun. Jolene is a personal trainer at the base gym, and also teaches the group fitness classes. I did her spin class on Saturday and this morning, and I am still amazed that not only did I complete the class without vomiting, perhaps more noteworthy - I didn't fall off the stationary bike (which I have done before - shocking, I know!). Jo is a riot, and she very graciously lets me come play with their new puppy. Recently I somehow located a newfound part of my heart: a capacity to care for animals. He is part rotweiller, part german shepherd, and I'm part thinking I'm going to steal him and raise him as my own. Somehow I think they'd figure it out, as one of them is at our house every other day. We got soooo lucky with neighbors!!!

Other than that, not much is new here. Chris got his leave approved so we are heading to the states!! We're hoping to leave on the 9th, fly to San Diego, retrieve my car that has so patiently been waiting for my return, drive to Denver and then on to Kansas City. Should be a fabulous trip, and fingers crossed that nothing happens between now and then that throws a wrench in our plans. The big "Dining Out" (formal squadron dinner) is on February 6th and we are getting geared up for that. Chris was asked by the CO/XO to be "Mr. Vice" (master of ceremonies for the event) and is freaking out just a little. He'll do great, and he did come home this afternoon pretty pumped- - he got his pistol quals this morning, meaning he is now a qualified sharp shooter. I think he's more excited that he gets another ribbon for his uniform than anything else.

More later, heading to the beach :)

While I was DRIVING, one of these little guys appeared on the windshield, and moved to the window. This was taken at the stoplight, but at first sight of him I did almost cause a wreck...

Saw this guy at lunch last week. He was huge!!

My computer friend. I don't think he's the one who died in our bed.

The bunco girls

Jess (right), Jo (center) and me in our 80s gear.

Chris and I at the karaoke bar with all of our buddies

Not bad for January, eh? Sunday morning we went to Sunday brunch with the Pikes at Top of the Mar, a Navy restaurant with a spectacular view and a pretty good champagne brunch.

Our cute waiter ;) Rest assured, there are no signs of him quitting his day job!!