Yes & know
By Aline Yamashita
January 1, 2018
As you are making Christmas wish lists or New Year resolutions, a priceless item could be time.
For yourself, make the time to write a journal to reflect on where you are and where you want to be. Determine and do. Smile and go!
With your significant other, make the time to hold hands. Recapture the exhilarating feeling of falling in love. Look at photos. Toast to each other. Giggle and hug!
With your fa...
December 3, 2017
Daily, Eric chimes “It’s almost Thanksgiving!” Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday, we were preparing for Christmas 2016.
And, looking back to the previous year, there’s much to give thanks for.
First, while Guam is an announced missile target of North Korea, we’re still here. While some will say that we are a target because of our alliance with the United States, I suggest that our alliance...
October 31, 2017
Today is day 8 of surviving food poisoning or stomach flu or a combination. My stomach and my back and my head and my muscles were in full concert. Their ambition was to have me chuck and churn whenever possible. Gas and nausea added fuel to the fire. The body was in charge. It has been exhausting.
Because I’ve been here before, I knew what to do and what not to do.
But, there are many who do not.
...
September 3, 2017
The 32nd Guam Legislature was holding a public hearing. A young mom bounced toward the front. “I’m breast feeding and, well, the reactions are troubling. I’ve spoken with other moms who share the struggles they have with breast feeding. Aunty Marie said you were the senator to speak with.”
And with that, PL 32-098 “The Nana yan Patgon Act” was conceived.
As with all Families First! initiatives, there were countless ro...
August 3, 2017
Human behavior changes as social norms evolve. I remember walking the Fenway to get to campus. In the mid-70s, society made a decision through court action that skin color would not separate schools. Integration shall occur. To keep the peace, that frequent walk to our academic campus was lined with National Guard soldiers armed with guns. They were prepared to de-escalate any violence that could erupt from all tones sharin...
May 30, 2017
“What a spectacular view!” Chele and Robert echoed. We were standing in the yard of a childhood home in UoG’s Dean’s Circle. This was when housing was provided to attract and retain faculty. The house then transformed into an early childhood center and currently, houses cancer grant programs.
The view remains. Over-looking Pago Bay, the beautiful blue waters mirror the beautiful blue skies. Greenery graces the landsc...
May 3, 2017
At this writing, 49 of Guam’s children who are all grown up have filed sexual abuse claims. While healing won’t occur with monetary gain, perhaps knowing that attention is focused on the wrong will help the victims believe they weren’t at fault. The courage it takes to speak up against people in power is heart-wrenching. And, even if the constitutionality of the statute deems these people unable to collect, the nakedness of...
April 5, 2017
Our island community has been hit with a tidal wave of unsettling situations.
When people in position are accused of wrongdoing, we get uncomfortable. We get uncomfortable because there are certain beliefs we want to hang onto. One of those beliefs is that the ones we should be able to trust the most are trustworthy.
We want their decisions to be near impeccable. We want to believe that we are safe with them at th...
March 3, 2017
We know that the minimum wage increase to $8.25 did not impact Guam's economy. Guam's unemployment rate decreased, inflation declined and the GDP increased. Our public school dropout rate decreased.
There are a relatively small number of employees in the minimum wage bracket. They work really hard and often have more than one job.
Businesses welcome these workers as entry workers and hope that they perform wel...
February 6, 2017
It’s always uplifting when something makes your heart smile.
Many of us were at Pop’s Bakery in the lovely village of Agat. Rossi was moving trays of freshly baked rolls onto the shelves. They sold out instantly. The person helping Rossi moved at a good pace. While we waited, spontaneous conversation took place. None of us knew each other – but in good ole Guam style, friendly chatting started by listening to someone else’s co...