Happy Halloween

Drew & I had a very mellow Halloween this year.  We didn't dress up at all or go out.  Instead, we stayed in and carved pumpkins!  Drew free-handed his cat/moon carving.  As usual, I used a pattern.  This year's choice pattern was a haunted house.  We carved our pumpkins while watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."  About halfway through, Drew commented that Charlie Brown is really kind of strange & he's right!  It's a bit of an odd show, but still a classic.  We also watched "Resident Evil" for some good Halloween zombie action.  Even though we were stocked up on Halloween candy, we sadly didn't get a single trick-or-treater.  I was a bit disappointed, but at least I have lots of friends with kids who will send me adorable pictures of their little ones all dressed up!  See any great costumes this year?

Pre-carving.  I'm such a good wife, that I even "gutted" Drew's
pumpkin for him.  He kept saying how gross it is, but I
think that's one of the best parts!

Post-carving.  They would look better with candles, but we forgot to get them...

USC v. ND

As you all know, Drew & I are huge USC fans.  Drew's co-worker, Jen, is a huge Notre Dame fan.  So, of course there was a lot of hype for the big rivalry game last weekend.  We had Drew's co-workers over for a rivalry game brunch & it was so much fun!  There was also a big bet riding on this game.  If USC lost, Drew had to get a high & tight haircut and if ND lost, then Jen had to buy & wear the khaki uniform skirt all week.  The worst part about wearing the uniform skirt on Guam is that you are required to wear stockings - not too comfortable in this heat & humidity!

ND was favored to win so we were a little bit nervous.  But, USC showed up in South Bend and beat the Fighting Irish, 31-17.  And Jen lived up to her side of the bet...

The tasty spread - egg casserole, pumpkin ring, bagels & lox,
spinach-artichoke dip.  Delicious!

Happy Birthday, Navy!

On October 13, the Navy celebrated its 236th birthday.  Drew and I were lucky enough to attend the Guam Navy Birthday Ball at they Hyatt on Friday night.  We went with Drew's co-workers and had a fantastic time.  Everyone looked so handsome & lovely in their dress uniforms.  It was great to have an evening of dress up!  And it gave me a great opportunity to wear the beautiful earrings and bracelet that my Aunt Gay gave me.  Thanks, Auntie!

My officer & gentleman

Jen & Drew

They cut the cake with a sword! 

Playing dress up with Jen's cover!

Columbus Day

The best part about Columbus Day = Drew had a 4 day weekend!  On Friday morning we went on our great cave hike with Drew's office.  Friday night we went to an engagement party for two of the people on Drew's frisbee team (they met playing frisbee - how cute) at the beach.  The only problem with beach parties on Guam is the almost certain chance of rain.  It's not so bad during the day when you're hot anyways & can just go jump in the water.  But when you don't have your swimsuit on, have a bunch of food laying out & a BBQ going it can dampen the mood a bit.  After huddling under a palm branch for about fifteen minutes and realizing the storm was not passing too quickly, Drew & I decided to make our wet escape.  Even though there was a lake in my purse, my camera wasn't ruined & I couldn't let the moment pass by without a picture...

On Saturday we played some racquetball on base & then I met up with some of the friends I made volunteering at the film festival while Drew got his nap on.  We met up at the beautiful Beach Bar and played some beach volleyball.  It rained again.  But was still a lot of fun.  And, par for the course on Guam, even though we were supposed to meet up at 3:00, when I arrived at 3:30 I was the first one there.  The next person didn't show up until about 3:45 and most of the people didn't show up until after 4:00.  I guess that's just how island time works.  At least there was a spectacular view.

Sunday was a very relaxing day for us.  We went to church and then spent the rest of the day at home.  We had a riveting game of Scrabble and played some Wii Jeopardy.  Sadly, we don't get Jeopardy in Guam so we were both going through a bit of withdrawal.  On Monday we went diving in the morning with Jen from Drew's office.  She's almost a master diver & is so kind to always take us out for dives.  It was a great dive because Drew & I both got to see our first sea turtle on Guam!  It was so cool being in the water under him & looking up to see this sea turtle just swimming around.  It was a great weekend all around & when we got up to drive Drew to work on Tuesday there was a double rainbow waiting for us right outside our building.  Guam really is a wonderful place.  And the best part is that we get to share it together!

Spelunking

Definition of spelunking: the hobby or practice of exploring caves.  Drew & I went spelunking this morning with the other attorneys in his office.  Jen led the two of us, Craig, Heidi & little Malachy on an exploration of Talofofo Caves.  We explored five different caves and crawled through one of them for a beautiful ocean view.  The neatest part of the cave that had the ocean view is that as soon as you get close to the opening, there is a huge rush of ocean breeze.  It is such a great experience & the cool air feels great in the middle of a hike!  We also got to go up to this lookout called Window Rock.  There is a natural window cut out of the rock and you can see right through.  It is phenomenal!  It was a wonderful morning of hiking and a great use of Drew's extra day off for Columbus Day.  Hope everyone has a great, long weekend!

Cave #1 - We crawled in this little opening, but the cavern
 inside was HUGE & amazing

Heidi & Malachy - so cute!

Cave #2 

The ocean view from Cave #3

Jen climbed up higher for a better view

Window Rock

Only on Guam

There is this saying here - "Only on Guam."  Most people just shorten it to "o-o-g" or, in my case, "Oog."  It refers to a situation or happening that is completely unbelievable or shocking, but, strangely, makes sense since we are on Guam.  I had an "Oog" moment on my way home from the gym today.  It was nice & sunny over by the base, but I hit a torrential downpour on my way home.  And in the midst of this tropical storm, I looked over and saw a man power-washing the sidewalk.  He was using a hose to wash the sidewalks in the middle of a rainstorm!  All I could think to myself was "only on Guam."

Over the weekend, I volunteered at the first annual Guam International Film Festival.  It was a huge hit and I had a really great time getting to know the other volunteers & helping to showcase some of Guam's local talent.  Drew & I even got to catch a few of the screenings, which was fun.  We saw a documentary about the band Fishbone & saw a really neat movie from Taiwan called "Night Market Hero."  Also, I am somewhat of a local celebrity now because my picture was in the Pacific Daily News - the local newspaper.  Here's the shot & a link to the article in case you're interested:  I'm famous!

I'm the one in the background with the hot pink shirt!