Growth reflection...

As the semester comes to a close, it is highly suggested to submit a professor evaluation as it helps with the growth of the teacher and quality of the course.  

I believe that the strengths of an effective teacher are to be fair, informative, hold high expectation, be timely, an excellent communicator, a wise strategist, and EASY TO APPROACH.

The outcome of the student’s learning is just as important because the teacher will have inspired the student to think out of the box and share experiences, good or bad.  Notably to help the student to establish genuine character for themselves and towards others.

With technology as the rising forefront in teaching innovative strategies for the next generation, we as future educators must remember that with all things, moderation is key.  I do not shun technology but I have a greater understanding of the importance to use the techniques and components wisely and as surefootedly as my mentors and colleagues.

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At the end of the day, we must serve with great care to tender and enthusiastic minds.  I pray that I am a compelling stimuli and that I too someday will be someone’s inspiration to continue the passion to embrace humanity, one child at a time.

Giving Thanks!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and as I reflect on the previous year I can’t help but to recall all the magnificent blessings that I was afforded, like people helping me with my parents as they get older and unable to fend for themselves around the house as well as help with my school studies and events. 

I think of all the family, friends and new faces that I have encountered through my daily interactions at my home, neighborhood, stores and on my routes to school or professional events.  

I also remember the ones that I have lost through suicide, terminal illness or just accidental mishaps and how I can’t enjoy their company and every time I envision them, I cry like a big baby!

On Thanksgiving, whether you view it as a religious celebration or not, it is a period when we should frequently consider things for which we can be appreciative and how to love one another and to be kind to one another, especially to the unfortunate souls that struggle to pay the bills, strive to find a decent shelter, failed attempts to clothe their children and put food on the table.  

When I think of Thanksgiving, I don’t identify with how the Native Americans and Pilgrims gathered to commemorate this holiday, but how, we as humanity need to be reminded to chill out and think of how we can give peaceful and loving gestures towards one another.  It’s disheartening to think about it that way, but with technology on the rise, we tend to compete with the Joneses that we fail to see that a simple life is what we all seek.  We don’t need to be fancy, we need to be humble and take care of our brothers and sisters besides ourselves. 

Therefore, my wish to all of you, should you need any help, just ask and I will be there for you.  You can count on me to do my best to help you and whatever I have I will share with you, even if it is a piece of gum or to borrow my phone charger.

I thank you all, for whatever you do, large or small or for things that you do that I don't see or feel at that moment but later down the road.  Your kind and gracious heart will be rewarded.  I also want to Thank my husband, he is my every second, every minute, on the hour blessing!

So, continue to make remarkable memories, make your day sensational, and yes, please pass the gravy!

#goaldiggers

Group projects are a blessing and a curse because you have to deal with the people that you are assigned to.  The truth is, this is another practice to tackle real life scenarios and possibly prepare you for the better part of your life when you have to move out of your parent's house.  

In the workplace, you will have many opportunities to work with all types of people. Whether they are different nationalities  or they have the same views as you do or not.  They are probably thinking and reasoning as like you do and just want to finish and go home. And there are some that really enjoy the camaraderie of being with people on a daily basis, not just to use you but really learn and experience the process of being in a group.

For me, I enjoy group projects, especially with ones dealing with technology.  Because of my age, I able to offer experience and with the younger generation's help I am able to present in a manner befitting a professional arena as they are more tech savvy than I.

When I do meet with persons that are quiet, I enjoy that as well.  It gives me that challenge for them to open up and be comfortable with the team.  And then I meet up with those who are loud and obnoxious, that don't care what grade they get as long as their name is on the project they are fine with it.  

Then I meet with the alphas, the ones that want to control the project outcome, and I love them too because it will be less work and less stress for me, especially in the critical thinking aspect.  Then there are those that just don't want to participate, too lazy to come up with any idea or solution but want to complain as to why the teacher or boss is picking on him/her. I love them too because I like to show them how their actions hurt others and that when they are truly in need of help, no one will show up for them.  

Then there are ones that can't say no, makes all kinds of promises, but when the time comes to deliver, can't, they have nothing to show for, so the rest of the team have to scramble to make it happen.  Yeah, those I don't really revere because here you are assuming that they are pulling their share, yet when it is showtime, they don't supply any work.  But there is a way to circumvent that behavior and it is called, deadline updates.  A person out of the group has to be tasked to ensure everyone is meeting the timeline so that there will be time to correct any hiccups or foresee any issues and usually that would be the old person, me.

Like I mentioned earlier, I enjoy working with people, but many might not like working with me, but in the end, we work together, do the best we can to help each other, show the best work and pray for the best outcome! Because like a wise teacher professed, An A is an A is an A and I love A's!

Credit Smarts!

Get Smart About Credit (For ALL)

Get Smart About Credit

October 20th is Get Smart About Credit Day! Do you know how your knowledge measures up? Here are four key pieces you should know to help get and keep your credit up to snuff.

·         Know your credit score. The first step is making sure your credit report is correct and free of blemishes. You can access your free copies at annualcreditreport.com. To find out your actual score, you can access websites like Credit Karma or Credit Sesame, or check if your bank or credit card statement provide it for you.

·         Manage your cards. The best way to keep your credit score in good shape is to pay your credit cards off every month. If you're working on getting out of debt, first strive to get your balance to less than 30% of your credit limit. Remember, you don't have to carry a balance to keep a good score, but you may want to keep paid off accounts open to show the full length of your credit history.

·         Deal with student loans. Know what you're getting into when you take out loans, and, once you have them, make sure you're paying them off as quickly as you can afford.

·         Protect your identity. It can take years for your credit to recover from identity theft so the best defense is a great offense: make sure it doesn't get stolen in the first place by taking these steps.

Maintaining good credit keeps your financial options open when it comes to lots of important life goals, like buying a house, obtaining car insurance and sometimes even securing a job. Get smart and stay smart by taking care of your credit today!

From Benjamin Bankes email from FeedThePig.org

Below are some of the financial institutions found on Guam.  Whatever establishment you choose to do business with, always know it is your money and you can do what you see fit.  Always know that the banks want your business and you shouldn't have to beg for you to borrow your money.
Invest well!!

Let me drive please!

My birthday is coming around the corner so I have the tedious task to renew my driver's license. 
I decide I will get it done on my next available Monday. I arrive at Rev and Tax at 7:00 a.m, still parked in my car, I see that there at least twenty people lining up to get in.  The doors don't open until 8:00a.m. so I am a bit worried the process time will take long.
So here I am lining up, chatting up with my line neighbors while waiting for the doors to open.
When the doors opened up at 8 a.m, in the hustle for everyone to claim the front of the line, I lost my place and was pushed back further than the initial line. I waited in line for a good two hours and the pace is reasonable considering its GOVGUAM, then all of a sudden, an employee comes out and merges all the age 55 and older along with the individuals with disabilities into one line.  So here I am pushed back as a dozen people are stacked in front of me.  All the while I am griping about this situation because it looks like I will be held back another two hours.  Then to top it off, about four "authorized" individuals who just arrived was pushed to the front of the line.  Sure enough, I didn't finish until 12:30 p.m, late for my 12:00 class.  
I understand this is Guam law, but whoever made it up, didn't think it through.  I believe that there is another way to tackle this situation, perhaps the Director of REV&TAX should figure out a solution.
PS. I hope that five years from now, there will be a solution, otherwise, ninety days ahead I will make an online appointment.

*Article from Guam PDN

New driver's license, ID card standards could cause delays at Rev and Tax

Shawn Raymundo , sraymundo@guampdn.com9:55 p.m. ChST June 15, 2016

New national security standards for driver’s licenses and identification cards could increase certain wait times at the Department of Revenue and Taxation in Barrigada.
Wait times for processing licenses and ID cards used to take 10 to 15 minutes, however, the processing time is expected to take twice as long while the department implements some changes to comply with the national standards mandated in the Real ID Act.
“We would like to ask the public for their patience and understanding as we work towards compliance to these security features,” Rev and Tax Director John Camacho said in a press release from the governor’s office.
For the next four months, the line at the driver’s license branch and Guam ID section will close at 4:30 p.m. so those waiting in line before then will be accommodated. To alleviate an applicant’s wait time, Rev and Tax is accepting applicants to pre-register online at realid.guam.gov.

Lights, Camera, Read!

Last week we finished our first essay and the project to highlight our paper was to create a magazine cover.  We were to build a cover that had the aesthetics of a real-life magazine with a catchy title, phrases, and quotes incorporated from our essay to entice the reader to pick it up when they see it at a newsstand. 

My essay was about an older female trying to join the military, which I named “The Recruit” with the edition being the title of my essay, "Fitter not Fatter".

The English Department has a program that it runs every semester and is showcased at the multi-purpose auditorium.  One of the professors was seeking performers so I volunteered to search for some talented people to join this wonderful opportunity. 

I had found two willing participants but they were a bit shy, so I assured them that I would be there to support so I signed myself up to perform as well. 

After communicating through email, we finalized the details of our performance, we were scheduled to do a half hour show for two consecutive days.

My friends were going to go up on stage to perform an American Sign Language song and read poetry and I would read two children's books that featured Chamorro language as well as the fruits and vegetables found on Guam.

I felt happy about sharing the books more so on practicing with a larger audience for story time. I was nervous going up on stage but when I saw the smiling and enthusiastic faces in the crowd I was motivated to do a good job and prove to myself that I am a future educator.

Panic at the Drive Thru!

It was a long day at school, too exhausted to cook, I decided fast food was the best way to go.  On the way home, McDonald's was the closest so I pulled up to the drive-thru. 

After I confirmed my order, I drove to up to the window to make payment.  The cashier happily greeted me as I handed her my I.D. and credit card.  She swiped the card and told me that the card declined. In disbelief, I quickly asked her to swipe it again and she said it still declined.  I was completely embarrassed and I told her that couldn't be right as I had a hefty amount in my account because I received funds to pay my Spring tuition. 

At that time, I panicked because there was a bunch of cars behind me. I was debating to leave and drive off as I assumed that I didn't have enough cash on hand to make payment.  But I thought that would be a not-so-nice thing to do so immediately I ransacked my car for any possible means of payment. My heart was racing, still embarrassed I asked her what the expiration date was on the card, and she informed me that it was 2018.  I continued to panic, more like freak out because ordering at the drive-thru is a simple task; you drive up, order, pay, pick-up and enjoy! I kept apologizing for holding up the line.  I kept repeating how embarrassed I was. 

After I continued to search, I found a $20 bill tucked in in my backpack pocket and paid her.  She gave me my change and I proceeded to the next window.  When I was receiving my order, I kept apologizing for the wait but the attendant reassured me it was fine, no problem. 

I parked and called my husband and informed him of the mishap.  He told me to come home and call the bank.  When I arrived at home my husband said that we still have a substantial amount in our account per the bank's website.  After speaking to the online teller, she divulged that the bank was having internet problems and it was their end causing the inconvenience.  She apologized for the error and bid me a good day.  Although it wasn't my fault, I still felt embarrassed because I didn't want to waste food, even junk food.

Trash those Toxins!

I completed a ten-day detox with Synergy Studios that was funded by the Edward M. Calvo Cancer Care Foundation.

The Detox benefits are:

·        Improves overall health and vitality

·        Increases energy levels

·        Improves digestion

·        Helps control weight (even weight loss in some cases)

·        Decreases risk of disease and chronic health conditions

·        General ability to live lighter in body, mind and spirit!

The menu was basically a shake for breakfast, hearty meal for lunch and rejuvenating salad for dinner.  The ingredients were all vegan, meaning we could not eat anything that had eyeballs. 

NO MILK, EGGS, MEAT, SUGAR OR WHITE RICE!

Could I actually survive, I wondered!

The vegetables that we needed to stay away from were potatoes, corn, eggplant, mushroom and peas as it doesn’t digest well.

When I first started this diet, I was real tired and easily annoyed.  I didn’t feel good about myself, especially how I would be agitated by the smallest of incidents. 

The Master Cleanse which was taken during the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th days is a concoction that was created by Stanley Burroughs in 1941 that would eliminate toxins and congestion build up in the body.

While on this cleanse, we weren’t allowed to have ANY solid foods.  It was hard to just drink this for the three days, as we had a birthday celebration at Tumon Sands Join US restaurant that evening, so I “cheated” by eating the salad without the dressing though.  I kept munching on all kinds of fruits and I managed to drink 4 gallons of the cleanse.

As I reflect on this experience, it has taught me to drink more water, control my portions and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.  If I had the opportunity to do this again, I certainly would, but the program must be free as it is quite expensive to purchase the ingredients, plus I want to be able to make it at my home instead of picking up at the Synergy Studios in Maite every morning 5 a.m. – 8 a.m.  

 

This dish is called Tinaktak, it is Tofu with coconut milk, tomatoes, green beans and brown rice.  I love that I don't notice the meat missing from this local dish.

Dolphin Watch

What a beautiful and gorgeous day this started out!  I was lucky to find parking on this sharp and stimulating Saturday morning.  When I first arrived three of my classmates with their family members were already seated at the top deck, calm and cool in their sunglasses and island attire.  The crew was very helpful in getting us situated by announcing where we could settle in.  I was a bit apprehensive on this boat ride as I easily get motion sickness but as I stabilized myself, I didn’t feel the abrupt movement as like the smaller vessels I’ve been on plus it helped that the sea was not rough.  We were also being offered sea sickness medicine but I refused because I remembered the time I took, it made the situation worse and I was throwing up so bad that my back was hurting and I couldn’t enjoy the outing. 

As the rest of the gang trickled in, I noticed many smiling and happy faces piling into the 53 foot Catamaran and I knew we were going to have a great adventure.  The food spread was extensive and very delicious.  My classmates were very generous with the potluck and we almost finished the food.  As the vessel slowly pulled out of the dock and headed out to the big blue ocean waters we saw huge parts of the island terrain.

Some of the mountain sides were scarred with many patches of soil, devoid of vegetation which we discussed in the classroom; which led me to see firsthand what it is like to ensure that we take care of not only our oceans but our lands which majority of the population live on.  As we passed a couple of boats, we saw one that was being chased by dolphins, I didn’t capture any pictures of them but they were a sight to witness.  The dolphins swam in groups of three and we kept trying to keep count on when they would come up to the surface, but our timing was off.  Someone mentioned that they were attracted to the waves the boat was making through the water.  That was one highlight of the day.

As we traveled further out to sea we saw a huge land mass that possibly could be a habitat for humans, perhaps a rich, tycoon could afford to convert it to a nice lodge or bungalow, but then again some parts of nature should be left alone for the true beauty to be preserved.  When it was time to anchor the boat, I was super excited.  I didn’t hesitate to get into the water that I forgot that I wasn’t a good swimmer and failed to wear a life vest.  But I soon lost most of my fear and wandered around in the deep blue. I got me a snorkel and tried to venture down to the bottom but that didn’t happen as I wasn’t that strong enough to submerge myself but I had so much fun swimming.  I saw many types of fish, but none of which my brothers would bring home for the family to eat, as the boat crew started tossing bits of bread and hotdog around me to lure them in our swimming area.  I saw the bottom of the sea floor and it was quite mesmerizing as I saw fish coming out of the rocks and corals to come up and feed.  Someone saw a turtle but I wasn’t fast enough to see it. 

This field trip gave us opportunity to view other aspects of ECOTOURISM.  Guam’s economy is driven with the sights and experiences nature has to offer.  In fact, Tourism is one of the top three ways Guam thrives economically.  With advances in transportation and data innovation, even the most remote places of the earth are viewable to the curious, locals and tourists alike. Truth be told, tourism is currently the world's biggest industry, with nature tourism the quickest developing section. Individuals need to experience nature and the world, yet ought to attempt to do as such in a way that doesn't affect the indigenous habitat. In light of this expanding venture for nature encounters, another travel ethic has emerged called ecotourism.  There are several ways that tourists and locals can enjoy what Guam has to offer throughout its beautiful waters.  The ocean is wide, deep, and full of mystery. It is one of the parts of the Earth most people have yet to see.  We’ve always loved to swim at the beach and be amazed with colorful coral reefs as we snorkel, but we’ve never known everything about the waters – the deepest, darkest parts of it. We’re not even sure if we’re ready to explore it or just prefer to leave it untouched. 

Here are a few ways we can enjoy Guam’s tropical waters.

Boat Charters. Guam has several boat operations providing day and evening charters, snorkeling, dolphin watching and on-board bar-b-ques. Many are available for parties and special occasions. Guam offers excellent wind conditions for sailing, without fighting rough surf.  Vessels can launch in selected areas for snorkeling, diving and fishing.  Sometimes dolphins frolic in front of sailing vessels, and if you are lucky you may see a turtle or whale.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling. Guam's extraordinarily clear waters with temperature 82-86 degree year round, boasts a pristine undersea life and various World War II remnants which make it one of the best nature sites on the planet offered to tourists and locals.  Extraordinary encounters can be experienced through photography; you must be mindful to not disturb the reef inhabitants by removing or destroying coral.  Diving adventures can be started from the shore or on a boat but you must abide by the laws and regulations of water safety.           

Deep Sea Sport Fishing. Located in the Pacific Ocean just to the West of the Marianas Trench, the deepest part of the Ocean in the World, and ringed with coral reefs, Guam offers some of the best open ocean sport-fishing in the world.  Schedule with one of the local fishing charter boats and head out for sailfish, marlin, yellow fin, mahi-mahi, skipjack, wahoo and much more. The charter captain will provide the gear and bait and know where to go to bring back the fish.  All you need to do is relax and enjoy.

Water Parks and Beach Clubs.   Businesses have beach buddies on shore who offer a wide array of water activities closer to land such as kayaking, windsurfing, water aerobics, swimming pools and water slides.  You could also go outside the shoreline towards the reef with jet skis, paddle boats, canoes and parasails hooked on speed boats. 

Ecotourism has wonderful qualities because it gives the people employment which bolsters curiosity for the unknown as well as local legends.  With government and private sectors working together a lot of areas can be discovered and enjoyed for the future generations.  I understand that areas cannot afford the presence of humans because of the destruction caused by paving roads or paths but there are safe ways though arduous exercise that we can observe and capture these natural wonders.  Be that as it may, this same development opens doors for both preservation and neighborhood groups to take part and claim pride and ownership of our island’s well-being. 

Ecotourism is very important and easy way to provide revenue, but we must take great heed when we venture out to the waters by not disturbing and destroying the ecosystems.  We must be fully aware and responsible by not polluting the waters, with human debris and waste.  We can have fun and fully enjoy the myriads of sites the ocean has to offer but as with every activity we do, it must be with done with moderation and great care.
*Margarita Boat Charters