Just Another Weekend in Guam

Drew & I spent Saturday at Tarague Beach on Andersen Air Force Base.  It was an absolutely beautiful day.  We also discovered Bamboo Willies - a cute little beach restaurant/bar - and tried out their mai tais and smoothies.  Another wonderful day in Guam...

In Memory of My Mom

It's May 7 in Guam and one day before Mother's Day.  I can't believe it's been one full year since my mom passed away.  That was, by far, the worst day of my life.  I miss her everyday and love her with all my heart.  I feel so fortunate that I got to spend over 26 years with the most wonderful mom in the whole world.  And I'm even more grateful that I know she is now in a perfect place with our Heavenly Father.     

She was the most caring, thoughtful, loving, snuggly, cheerful & brilliant person that I know - I strive everyday to be more & more like her.  Unfortunately, I can't remember every single detail of her laugh, her touch or her anymore but I know she is looking down on me & with me everyday.  I love you, Mom.

Flat Stanley Visits Guam

For those of you who don't know who Flat Stanley is, you're really missing out.  But also in luck because I'm about to tell you all about him.  He is a little boy who sadly got flattened by a bookcase, but the good news is that now he can travel around the world in an envelope.  And travel he does.

A little second grader from Pasadena, CA sent his Flat Stanley to Drew in Guam.  Flat Stanley hung out with Drew for about 2 weeks (he'd been sitting here for a few months all by himself while Drew was out on the ship).  And just today we sent Flat Stanley back with the story of his travels, a few snapshots of his adventures & a few Guam treasures.

Dear Miguel,

            I’m sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you.  I was away on a ship for three months and did not get Flat Stanley until I returned back to Guam.

            In my time back in Guam, Flat Stanley and I have been having a lot of fun.  He came with me to work and helped me give legal advice to all of the service members here on Guam.  He was particularly good at giving me help when I was writing wills for my clients.

            Last week he came with my wife and me to a barbeque at the beach.  We took some pictures and he had fun playing in the sand.  Sadly, though, he didn’t really manage to get a tan.  But he did get to see a guy kite surfing with a bright green kite. 

            This last weekend Stanley came to Law Day at the Micronesia Mall, Guam’s largest shopping center, with me.  He really liked watching the mock trial and the traditional Chamorro dancers.  I think he learned a lot too!

            Thanks for letting Flat Stanley come to visit me.  I had a lot of fun showing him around the island of Guam – where America’s day begins. 

                                       Sincerely,

                                       Lieutenant Andrew Coffin 

                              

                      

Reunited...

And it feels so good!  (I just sang that as I typed, in case you couldn't tell)  I arrived in Guam last night, April 28, 2011, after one false start and a 15 hour journey.

I was supposed to leave on Tuesday, April 26, but when I arrived at the airport with my dad and 5 bags in tow, we found out that my flight was 2 hours delayed and I would have missed my connection to Guam.  Being stranded in Hawaii for 24 hours wouldn't have been all bad, but I opted to rebook for the next day and get some wonderful extra time with my family.

I was bumped up to first class on my way from LAX to Hawaii & it was awesome.  I think I've only flown first class one time in my life, so it was a real treat.  The highlights were the Bloody Mary (and the flight attendant asking me if I was old enough to drink it) and the made-to-order ice cream sundae.  I got it with chocolate syrup, whipped cream & a cherry on top - delicious!  I spent most of my trip reading "The Memory Keeper's Daughter"& trying to figure out if I had read it before.  I'm about halfway through now and it seems familiar, but I can't remember for the life of me how it ends.  Maybe I started it and never finished?  I guess I'll just keep reading...

Drew and I are very excited to be together finally!  We have big plans for our time together in Guam, so stay tuned!

Pillows of Potatoes

So, my friends planned a wonderful surprise dinner for me at Top Chef Fabio's restaurant, Firenze Osteria!  It was an absolutely fabulous evening with spectacular food & even better company.  The pesto gnocchi was by far the best thing I ate all night! They even hunted Fabio down & made sure that he would be at the restaurant when we were, so I got to see him & everything.  I couldn't ask for better friends - thanks Lindsay & Mike!

The Girls 

Me and the boys 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Dad and I went to the Dodgers' game tonight.  Unfortunately, they lost.  But I was just so happy that I could have a Dodgers' Dog before I left the country that the game was kind of secondary for me.  It was a giveaway game & we got these Dodgers/Lakers hybrid hats.  It was a great time with my dad!

 

Journey to North Carolina

Dad and I were lucky enough to get to spend over a week with Jake & Angela at their new home in Morrisville, North Carolina.  We had an absolutely wonderful time playing games (I was obviously the game champion), eating, exploring, making up songs to the tune of "The Farmer & the Del" and just hanging out.  We even celebrated a wonderful early Easter together.  We made all the traditional & delicious dishes - Mom would have been proud!  

The lovebirds in front of their new nest 

Jake grilling it up on his new BBQ 

Can you guess what team we were?  At least we didn't come in last!

An early Easter Sunday 

In other news, Drew will be back in Guam in less than 24 hours.  Yipee!!  That means he will actually be there when I arrive on the 27th.  We can't wait to be together!