Chapter 1: Lizards are Loose in Your Laundry!

It really wasn't as bad as it was in my head.

On our first Guamanian morning I woke up to turn on the air conditioning. As I bent my sore back over to reach the button (our bed is hard as a rock), I saw some movement out the corner of my eye.

I jumped back and bent lower. Sure enough a gecko scurried across the floor and the screaming commenced. Certain that a I had happened upon a serial killer waiting for his prey, Baldo rushed into the room ready to fight, only to find his squirmy wife pointing to a measly gecko. Two shoes and a missing tail later, our apartment was gecko free...at least I hoped. How did he get in here? Were there more? Had he crawled all over my clothes in our open suitcases? It was too much to think about. For now I will feel comfortable knowing we got rid of the perp.

New Kids in Town

Drinking a gallon of milk: $6.49. Savoring a McDonald's double cheeseburger: $4.85. Filling up your 44oz at CircleK: $1.49. Surviving your first week in Guam: priceless.

I should write a book titled Moving to Guam for Dummies. In it you would find chapters such as "To Run, or Not to Run: The Red Light Rogue," "Streets Signs are for Wimps," "How to Cope When Your Boss Tells You to Stop Wearing Ties," "Hey Speed Racer, Slow Your Roll," and "Lizards are Loose in Your Laundry!"

Amazingly I kept myself busy while Baldo worked at the news station. Dina the banker and Tom the realtor, my new BFFs, gave me great tips about the island; where to eat, what to do, etc. I'm sure they'll make the "Acknowledgment" section of my book for all the help they gave me.

Our next big feat is finding a place to call home. Wish us luck...it's stressful.

Show Me What You're Working With

Day numero uno in Guam officially ended. The votes have been counted, and the facts have been checked: we live in paradise. Here is your proof.

Not bad, Guam. Not bad.

Here's Lookin' at You, Kid

It's late. Or should I say early? My eyes hurt. I'm hungry. I'm moving to Guam in about two and a half hours. Right now my thoughts are focused on our baggage making the weight cut-off. Fifty pounds? REALLY Continental? I wish Southwest flew to Guam.

I'm amazed at how simple-minded TV shows are at 3:00 in the morning.

Everyone is asleep... even Baldo.

I'm going to miss my mom.

And dad.

And some of these people:

*No babies were injured during the production of this photograph.

Arizona, you've been good to us.

Deuce

June 13, 2010 = Two years of marriage.

I feel confident that we're transitioning from newly weds to nearly deads with grace. Let's take a look back to how this began...

It's been two years since we did this

a little of this

A LOT of this

more of this

and we wouldn't have enjoyed it without a few of these.

I couldn't have found a better person to make me laugh when I'm sad, to tell me I'm beautiful when I feel I'm not, to eat my food when I cook, to turn off my straightener when I leave it on, to scrub the toilet when I don't want to, to take care of me when I'm sick, and to love me despite of my downfalls.

Boo, I love you.

Jump

“We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.” -Harrison Ford

Almost six years ago I was on an airplane 13,000 feet in the air with a parachute on, attached to a man standing at an open door getting ready to jump…and jump we did.

Today, I am standing with a man getting ready to jump 6,453 miles across the world to a tiny island in the western Pacific Ocean…and jump we will.

In less than thirty days we will call a new place home. We will say goodbye to family, to friends, and to a desert that has seen us grow and mature for the past two and a half decades.

The pictures on our walls have come down, the dishes packed away, and possessions sold.

My emotions switch between anticipation and anxiety daily. I feel certain that we belong there, but nervous as to why.

Two summers, two Christmases, two birthdays, two anniversaries, two New Years’…what changes will I miss? Will my niece be able to talk when we get back? Will my sister get married? Will everyone I care about still be around? Will the Suns finally make it to the finals?

I’m going to miss this place. I’m going to miss my friends. But most of all, I’m going to miss my family…both of them.

Please, if you ever find yourself in the vicinity of Guam, feel free to stop by. We’ll take you to the best beach, feed you the island’s tastiest cuisine, and show you the most breathtaking sunset.

We’ll be a hop, skip, and a jump away.

Let's Get Crackin'

Why does eating crab...

make me want to do this?