You learn something new everyday.

For example I have recently learned that…

• Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest is kind of like the Empire Strikes Back of the Star Wars Trilogy…whatever that means, if you’re nerdy enough to know, please don’t try to explain it to me, you can talk to my husband about it. Entertaining movie.
• Vince Papale, whose story was told in the movie Invincible, played on the special teams for the Philadelphia Eagles. I didn’t know special teams existed – I thought everyone just played football together. Really good movie.
• Tyler Something-Or-Other is the current Crossword Tournament champion, if you ask me he also appears to be the next King-Of-The-Geeks. Merle Something-Or-Other is a Crossword Constructor and quite a nerd. But my favorite nerd is still Will Shortz (Will is the co-host of Puzzle Master Presents on Weekend Edition of NPR – so much fun to play along with, and he is also the Puzzle Editor of the New York Times). Check them all out in the documentary Wordplay. Very good movie.

I’ve also learned that freezing things makes for a quick meal. The excess spaghetti sauce that I froze about a month or so ago was very helpful and convenient to have for last night’s pasta dinner. My friend, let’s call her Merced, told me that her mom freezes all kinds of things so they are always on hand for a snack or light meal – french toast, quesadillas, what have you. I think I’m going to start doing the same.

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Mom!

Merry Christmas to you Mainland Folk! And Happy Birthday, Mom! It’s my mom’s birthday today, she’s a few months younger than her former playmate, none other than the CNMI’s governor. Well, I’m not so sure they were playmates, per se. But I do know they grew up together.

My mom is from District 4, also known as Lally 4; you know, out where the recently re-opened, Chalan Kanoa Beach Club is. My mom grew up on the beach, a beautiful one. At times she was quite the tomboy – well she is the youngest of 3 older brothers. She’d make toys rather than buy them. She’s told me about Christmases (Christmas’s, Christmases?) when her gifts were basically what was given in the Red Cross gift packages. Don’t get me wrong, she didn’t have nothing – but she had less that what I had growing up. But she had a strong, loving family. And all of this has turned her into a strong-willed, healthy, hard-working woman. I love you, mom!
~~~~~~

Christmas was nice. James, Katelyn, and I went to church in the morning. Then came home to the rest of the family and opened presents. While there were noticeably fewer presents for the kids this year, I think they all appreciated and enjoyed what they were given. Anyway, while this is the season of giving, gifts is not what Christmas is about.

After gifts I got to take a nap! Finally! I was feeling so sleep deprived that I wish I could have just slept through until the morning – but any nap is better than no nap. Then we took a few gifts up to our nieces and nephew and saw my cousins and my uncle. It was a nice day.

James got a call in the evening from his brother in Oregon. I think that made his day. They talked forever! So Katelyn and I had some nice play-doh sculpting time.
~~~~~~

Merry Christmas, Saipan!

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

Brr, it’s cold in here. There must be some fanihi in the atmosphere….

I just finished Katelyn’s blanket. Yeah, the one that I started before she was born. Anyway, it’s done. But it’s only two-thirds as long as I’d like it to be.

I don’t really enjoy the act of making blankets – although I love the end result. They are just so boring to make, the same pattern over and over. I think that’s why I make a lot of scarves and hats. And now that I have a baby, I really don’t have time to knit and crochet like I used to. I just don’t understand how some people are able to crank out blanket after blanket – and big blankets at that.

Something else I don’t understand – how my husband is able to open a can of ice cold Diet Coke and drink it down like it’s juice. The bubbles start to choke me after a few seconds.

I’ll post a picture of the blanket later on. I’ll need to borrow a camera since mine is broken.

Now, my next immediate projects, in no particular order:

• A blanket for the new baby after I find out the sex.
• A scarf with pockets for Mona.
• Eyore. Yes, Eyore as in Winnie the Pooh.
• A shawl for myself.
• A beanie for Mikey.

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

Boxing or Jiu Jitsu?

How about boxing AND jiu jitsu?

I have a baby in my belly that constantly uses my bladder as a speed bag. And I have another baby who pulls arm bars on her dad and submits my old Bedtime Care Bear via rear naked choke.

Maybe I’ll have a boxing boy and a jiu jitsu queen/hula girl. Once she can hold her attention long enough, I’m taking her to hula class. She can be my assistant instructor. Move over Angie, here comes Katelyn. ;P

(Adult Hula classes on Saturdays at World Resort. By Alana’ia Polynesian Music and Dance Productions. Guest instructor: me! Let me know if you’re interested.)

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

I’m number one! I’m number one! I’m Matt Damon!

If you love SNL (ahem, Mona), then you might now what the title is about.

I’m the first to link to Merced’s blog. Nee-ner, nee-ner, nee-ner.

She’s had her blog since March 2005. Look at how far she’s gotten with it. If you know her, hound her so she’ll ACTUALLY USE IT!

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

A conversation in the Revilla household.

James: “Who’s Hello Insomnia?”
Me: “Mona”
Katelyn: “Taotao mona.”

Cute.

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

Should I take a left up here, Sue Sue?

How do I get to Third Street, Sue Sue?
Sue Sue, is there a dead end up ahead?

OK, so I don’t really have the commercial memorized. But it sure is hilarious. This is what I hear when I watch that commercial:

“Susu, blah blah blah blah blah?”
“Susu, blah blah blah blah blah?”
“Blah blah blah blah blah, Susu?

It’s Tom Tom! Not Susu!

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

To my good people of Saipan…

• A flashing yellow traffic light means proceed with caution.
• A flashing red traffic light means stop. Treat it as a stop sign.
• A solid line means do not cross – as in the intersection at Quarter Master Road. Traffic heading south should stay in the outer lane until the solid lane divider turns dashed.
• Merging doesn’t mean rush to see who can get in front.

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

Nobody tagged me or anything…

It’s just that for once in my life I’m actually in the mood to answer one of those ‘about me’ lists, so here goes.

Trying to use only one-word responses…

1. You: weird
2. Your spouse: great!
3. Your children: amazing!
   
4. Your hair: damaged
5. Your mother: short
6. Your father: dearly missed
7. Your Favorite drink: coffee
8. What you want to be in 10 years?: me
9. Who you hung out with last night?: James
10. What you’re not: on edge
11. Muffins: blueberry
12. One of Your Wish List Items: clothes for Katelyn
13. The Last Thing You Did: type “clothes for Katelyn”
14. What You Are Wearing: clothes
15. Your favorite season: southern California winters
16. The Last Thing You Ate: crackers and cream cheese
17. Your Life: for God
18. Your car: big
19. What are you doing at the moment?: typing
20. What is on your TV?: a book
21. When is the last time you laughed?: an hour ago

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

Alright stop. Collaborate and listen…

I decided to wear jeans today – because Thursday is the new Friday. All my government peeps say, “whoop, whoop!”

(I HATE that phrase! Nothing is the new nothing. Everything is what it is.)

Movie quote of the day (Sampson Simpson and Scarface in Half Baked):
“I’m going to kill your little Mexican friend”
“I’m Cuban, B!”
“Ahhh, yes! Cuban Bee!”

Peace out, yo!

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

Away in a manger…

James and I watched The Nativity Story on Saturday – WONDER-FULL! (Get it, wonder-full, more than just wonderful, get it, GET IT?)

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”- Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

That’s who my God is. He came to earth in human form in the lowliest way possible; his first breath was filled with the stench of animals and dirt. He is a king “for the lowest of men to the highest of Kings.”

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

Nice to meet you.

This is the way my boss introduces me, “this is D.C., one of our analysts. You knew her father, Dr. Kenney?”

This is the way my boss introduces my friend, let’s call her Merced, “this is Merced, one of our analysts. Merced graduated from Georgetown.”

It appears that everyone at my office has a specific attribute that warrants special attention in introductions.

Ay, check out si starring.

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

Do you see what I see?

Or rather, did you see what I saw? Or maybe, do want to see what I saw? Either way….

Superman Returns – I liked it.
A Prairie Home Companion – Super boring. I like the radio show, but couldn’t finish the movie.

I can’t remember what else I’ve watched since my last movie post. I hope to watch The Nativity Story this weekend.

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

Oh, snap! That’s my song!

Last night I was watching James finish the video game Mafia. At one point as his character moved through a museum I heard the music, that I was having so much fun humming along with, stop….

Me: Why did the music stop?
James: I don’t know.
Me: Is it because you just left the (attempting to sing the 80’s hit) Daaanger Zone?
James: Maybe.
Me: That’s in a song, right? How does it go? (singing) Daaanger Zone?
James: I don’t know.
Me: Come on, I know you know it. (singing) Daaanger Zone!
James: I’m not helping you.
Me: (singing) Daaanger Zone!
James: It’s a dumb song. I had to listen to it when it came out, now I have to listen to you sing it? I’m not helping you.
Me: I’m not asking you to listen to me sing it. I’m asking YOU to sing it. (singing) Daaanger Zone!
James: …
Katelyn: Dander Done!
~~~~~~

I’ve always had a problem hearing/deciphering what people say. Take, for instance, a typical conversation between me an my friend, let’s call her Merced, who is able to talk super-duper fast:

Merced: abuddabit, namdenbrkaler.
Me: What?
Merced: the kids andlrken aldmenc ekr.
Me: I’m sorry, what?
Merced: the kids akldne alejcf smornin.
Me: Oh, my gosh I don’t know what you said, please slow down….
Merced: the kids asked me to make them sandwiches this morning.

This morning I thought my mother said, “even lemon trees today are getting diabetes….” What she really said was, “even elementary school kids are getting diabetes because of their diets.”

Question of the day: Was it my hearing problem or was it my mom’s accent? The world may never know.

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com

I mean it, this time.

This is the first year that I told James that I don’t want him to buy me anything for Christmas and actually meant it.

James told me, again, that he doesn’t want anything – he always means it. I hope I can resist the urge to buy him something.

We decided that sometime after the new year I will buy him a subscription to Grappling magazine and he’ll buy me some clothes or a pair of shoes when I’m too big for the ones I have. I think that sounds good.

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” ~2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)

~Deece
www.chamolinaole.blogspot.com