June 2009
www.guamfamily.net
$1.99
My Son Education Starts at Home
and Me
Beatrice Pereda juggles life as a single parent, businesswoman and provider— and comes out a stronger person.
Studies and experiences show parental involvement makes a huge difference in determining a child’s success.
Koalas, Shopping and Disney — Oh My! Vacations with the family don’t have to be a stressful situation — for you or your pocket.
The Value of Faith Summer Programs Healthy Family Cooking Sang Woo Choi … and MORE!
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Features My Son and Me 10
Beatrice Pereda juggles life as a single parent, businesswoman and provider — and comes out a stronger person.
Education Starts at Home 16
Studies and experiences show parental involvement makes a huge difference in determining a child’s success.
Koalas, Shopping and Disney — Oh My! 20
Vacations with the family don’t have to be a stressful situation — for you or your pocket. Check out three wallet- and kid-friendly destinations close by for a trip you’ll all enjoy.
Departments Familia 8
Highlighting our family and yours through greetings and special events
Family Finance 26
Take a lesson from ants and grasshoppers as you plan for financing your retirement.
Parenting 28
You are what you eat — oh no!
The Value of Faith 30
On Guam, family togetherness is an expression of faith.
Summer Programs 34
Check out these activities to keep busy for the summer.
June Calendar of Events 38 Island happenings this month
Center Stage 40
Sang Choi: FD Grad Heads to West Point
Kidsville 42
Fun and games for the kids and young at heart
Kusina 45
In the kitchen with Denise Santos
Daddy’s Day 46
Dads deserve some careful deliberation and planning to show them just how special they really are.
On the Cover: Beatrice Pereda and her son, “Sus” enjoy a day at Plaza de Espana. Photo by David Castro. June 2009 guamfamily.net
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Publisher’s Note publisher’s note %BOHLPMP /B 4J :VȁVT .BȁBTF I express my heartfelt thanks to all those who have shared such kind words of encouragement with the launch of Guam Family. Comments like, “This is exactly what Guam needs,” or, “Wow! A family magazine on Guam!” have meant so much to me. I am overwhelmed with the level of positive feedback that we’ve received from the community. For those familiar with Directions magazine, you may have known of our intentions to launch a second publication for some time now. We felt the need to fill the void for a family-friendly publication that would appeal to all members of the household, but we teetered on exactly what that would be. We knew we needed a magazine that could reach not only the business community, but a broader audience. And that’s when we decided on the name and concept of Guam Family. After numerous attempts at the drawing board, none of our ideas had sparked the level of excitement and interest among our staff and readers. Although this magazine is long overdue, I can only count it as a blessing. I’ve often made the remark in my office that I feel like I’ve given birth. For months I’ve felt that jittery anticipation of the birth of my new baby -- Guam Family magazine. And now that it’s here, we will continue to nurture it as it grows. We are committed to producing a quality issue each month filled with material that you can relate to and use in every area of your life. Thank you again for sharing your story ideas, points of view, and most especially, your lives with us. With your continued input we can capture the uniqueness of our people and celebrate life on this beautiful island we call home. Be blessed,
Publisher Stephani Ferrara Editor Faye Varias Assistant Editor Bryan Sualog Copy Editor Jackie Hanson Contributors Maria Cristobal Steve Hardy Christine Restuvog Janiece A. Sablan Art Direction Taliea Designworks Production David Castro Advertising Sales Stephani Ferrara Darrell Pereda Angela Rosario Administration Tia Camacho Blesilda Durousseau Printing Winguide, Saipan ADVERTISING INFORMATION sferrara@guamfamily.net dpereda@guamfamily.net arosario@guamfamily.net Opinions expressed in Guam Family are not necessarily those of the publisher or our advertisers. SEND COMMENTS TO Editor GUAM FAMILY P.O. Box 27290 Barrigada, GU 96921 E-mail: editor@guamfamily.net Tel: 671.635.7501 Fax: 671.635.7520 Web site: guamfamily.net ©2009 GUAM FAMILY All rights reserved.
Stephani Ferrara Publisher 4
June 2009 guamfamily.net
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Editor’s Note editor’s note 5JNF 8JUI %BE "
few weeks ago, I was sitting in the backyard with my dad, thinking of home-improvement projects. Now, I’m sure many of you have had these kinds of talks with your parents about when they were “our age” they had very few things to work with. He would tell me about how he made little toys out of sardine cans and bottle caps and played made up games with slippers and rubber bands. The concept of Wiis and PS3s are foreign to him as are, “myspace, your space” and “blue berry.” Actually, he just learned how to use text messaging in the last month. I’ve laughed him off, but I appreciate his ability to create things with minimal tools. Looking around our backyard, we have a picnic table he made from spare pipes and wood, leftover clamps, and cut up chair cushions from our home renovation. My mom’s orchids grow on branches he salvaged from typhoon-damaged trees, which he planted in cement blocks. He is the embodiment of “a do-it-yourselfer.” My brother and I are definitely spoiled in comparison. And though he may think we don’t listen to his stories, parental advice is something you eventually think back on and appreciate. Also crediting his father for inspiration is our Center Stage highlight this month, Sang Woo Choi, who graduated with my brother at Father Duenas. He said his father has taught him to work hard and that success is 99 percent hard work and 1 percent talent. Read more about Sang on page 40. Also in this issue, we interview Beatrice Pereda, a single mom who raised her son with the help of her familial bonds as well as a few successful individuals who are products of both public and private education. We also highlight a few family-friendly destinations to which your family can embark with just a short plane ride. Of course, these are just a sampling of what you’ll find this issue. Whether it’s working this summer, traveling with your family or looking for a job because you just graduated, we hope your summer is as eventful as you would like. Helping us work on more stories like these, I want to welcome Faith Realica, Guam Family’s summer intern, a junior at the University of Guam, majoring in communications. We are definitely excited to have her on board. Lastly, check out page 46 for some Father’s Day gift ideas for your dad. But be sure it’ll be one he can use. My dad, for one, will probably appreciate something from Home Depot more than he would like a “blue berry.” Enjoy your summer!
F a y e Va r i a s Editor
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e M and
My Son
Beatrice Pereda juggles life as a single parent, businesswoman and provider — and comes out a stronger person. By Christine Restuvog
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nyone can be a parent. But a good parent should have certain characteristics — most of all having patience, unconditional love, dedication, compassion, emotional and financial stability and the capability of taking on immense responsibilities. Usually, this job is made easier by sharing the responsibility with a spouse or partner. A single parent does not have this option. Yet, a single parent is not excused from raising a child the same way a good, two-parent home would. “Single parents have a far greater challenge — they have to be both mother and father to the child,” said Dr. Margaret Paul, parenting and relationship expert. “Mothering energy nurtures while fathering energy protects. ... While our society often defines women as the nurturers and men as the protectors, both men and women are capable of both nurturing and protecting.”
A Single Mom Beatrice T. Pereda, mother of Jesus “Sus” C. Pereda II, is one such parent who has taken on both roles raising her son as a single parent. She also maintains a career as the vice president and assistant branch and central operations administrator at the Bank of Guam. Her son is now 16 years old and attends Notre Dame High School in Talofofo. But during Sus’ younger years, life was full of challenges. Beatrice recalled, “When Sus was a year old, I was asked to work at the Bank of Guam’s Saipan branch as the operations manager,” she said. She struggled with whether to keep her son with her family in Guam or take him with her to Saipan. “My father asked me if I would rather have peace of mind and have my son stay with my family in Guam or take him to Saipan and have a stranger watch over him while I pursued my career,” she said. Ultimately, Beatrice decided to make the sacrifice of leaving her son in Guam.
The Ultimate Sacrifice She worked in Saipan for six years and traveled back and forth to be with Sus. “This, by far, was the most challenging situation for me as a single parent. However, life is all about balance—I’ve been working hard all of my life in order to support my son
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Beatrice T. Pereda with her son, Jesus “Sus” C. Pereda II Photography by David Castro
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and ensure that he is taken care of,” Beatrice said. He also visited his mother during long breaks, such as summer vacation. As separation and divorce become more common, single parenting has become more and more prominent in the United States. According to “Custodial Mother and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2005,” released by the U.S. Census Bureau in August 2007, there were approximately 13.6 million single parents in the United States.Those parents are responsible for raising 21.2 million children — about 26 percent of children under age 21 in the country. The most common of single parents are mothers who are employed and do not receive public assistance, are 40 years or older and are raising one child.
Family Support Fortunately for Beatrice she was never really alone in raising her son. Her family — mom, dad, brothers and sisters — is her tremendous support system and played a major role in Sus’ life. “After Sus was born, I brought him home and didn’t name him yet. I asked my dad if I could name my son after him, which is why my son’s name is Jesus C. Pereda II,” she said. Today, Beatrice, her mother, siblings and son all live in one household. Sus is so close to his extended family that he calls each of them a different version of mom.“He calls my mother ‘mom,’ my sister ‘mom Bernal,’ and me ‘mommy,’” Beatrice said. This living situation is an advantage for Beatrice and Sus because he has a multitude of role models to turn to — especially if he needs advice from a male figure.“I went to my grandfather and now go to my Uncle Darrell for advice that I can’t ask my mother for,” he said. “I am also very close to my grandmother. She can be strict with me, but she also spoils me,” he added. The Peredas are a close-knit family, consisting of 12 grandchildren, including Sus. According to www.familydoctor.org, children benefit from good role models — adults who set an example of how to behave — of both sexes. The site suggests single parents look for family or friends of the opposite sex to be role models for their children. It also suggests inviting a positive and responsible family member or friend to spend time with their child — exactly what Beatrice has been doing while raising her son.
A Juggling Act Though Beatrice has a great family support system, balancing time with her son and her career is one thing at which Beatrice admits she continuously works. Her hectic work schedule keeps her in the office six days a week — from Monday through Saturday. 12
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“I ensure that I make Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday family time with my son,” she said. During the week, Beatrice makes time to assist her son with his homework, and attend his sporting events and school programs. “You have to balance your time out and prioritize what you need to get done in the office in order to make time for your child,” she said. “Bank of Guam is definitely a family-friendly company. Beatrice mentioned having a flexible schedule for her son is a give-and-take when it comes to her career. “I focus to accomplish what I need to at work in order for me to participate in my son’s extracurricular activities.”
Working for a Goal It’s obvious that Beatrice’s hard work and dedication raising Sus on her own have rubbed off on him. “My mom taught me to study hard and that I have to work for things that I want,” he said. Financially, Beatrice is comfortable due to her high-level position at the Bank of Guam, though she explains that she still has to budget, live within her means and continue to make sacrifices to support her son. “When Sus turned 5, I had to make the decision on what school to send him to,” she said. “I wanted to give him a good education, but at the same time, live within our means and find a school that was convenient for him to attend that was closer to our home.” Single parents are more likely to be in tune with financial priorities and boundaries due to just one household income. Though finances can be strained in a single-parent home, the bond between a single parent and his or her child can be intensified in the situation.According to www.singleparentcenter. com, a single parent tends to have a stronger bond with his or her child compared to the bond married parents have with their child. Beatrice and her son have special activities that they appreciate doing together. “I enjoy going to the movies with my son. We also go to church together,” she said. Sus added “I really enjoy the time I spend going shopping with my mom”. Beatrice also acknowledges that she needs time to herself as a single parent. “It is up to the parent to make the time for him or herself. I try and take a couple of hours out of my schedule to do things for me,” she said. In addition to this, her formula for success as a single parent is to be there for every step of her child’s growth. “You have to make multiple sacrifices, pray for guidance to make the right decisions and know what works for you and your child,” she said.
“You have to balance your time out and prioritize what you need to get done in the office in order to make time for your child.” — Beatrice Pereda
Parenting — a 24-Hour Job Beatrice said that being a successful single parent does not happen overnight, nor is the responsibility of a parent ever finished. “A parent just hopes that his or her child grows to be successful and stays out of trouble. I have been very fortunate with my son, who is very respectful, does well in school and keeps himself busy with sports, but my responsibilities as a parent are far from over,” she said. “You just trust that your children use everything you have instilled in them to make positive decisions in their lives and work as hard as you did to support them.” As for her advice to other single parents, “Extended family support is so important when you are single parent. If you don’t have that, look to other single parents for advice,” she said. A support group like Big Brothers Sisters MariaBigPerez provides another source of role models for single-parent children who do not have family in Guam. Beatrice has no regrets with the way her life plan has been laid out in regards to being a single parent.“Having my son has been one of the most rewarding things in my life,” she said. “Being able to share your life with someone who you gave life to and look forward to spending time with has pushed me to be a stronger person.”
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n o i t a c u Ed t a s t r a t S ! e m Ho
By Christine Restuvog and Faye Varias
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he decision you make today about your child’s education plays a major role in his or her life. Even throughout a child’s formal education years, many education experts feel parents and caretakers continue to be their child’s foundation for success. This makes the choice for education that much more important. Whether through public, private or home education, the key is to always remain involved in your children’s lives. PICK AND CHOOSE Most students on Guam fall under the Guam Public School System, the school district serving the entire island. Being a small community located 6,000 miles away from the U.S. mainland, Guam’s educational system always faced unique challenges. It has a very diverse student body with more than 32,000 students, many of whom come from backgrounds without traditional American education. However, the Guam Public School System is committed to providing the support structures which allow all students to succeed based on local guidelines, and many parents believe it’s the effort of a child and parental involvement that make the difference. Amy Y. Aguigui, Bank of Hawaii cash management and merchant services manager, is one such example of a public school student turned successful businesswoman. Aguigui attended Truman Elementary School, Piti Middle School and Oceanview High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Guam. Aguigui said a person’s success in adulthood and throughout his or her career is based on personal effort. “It doesn’t matter if you attended public or private school,” she said. “Success is up to the individual, and the education they receive is what they make of it.”
For those who choose to send their children to private school, there are several on island, many of which are Christian and Catholic. The Academy of Our Lady of Guam, an Archdiocesan secondary school for girls; St. John’s School, an international university preparatory school affiliated with the Episcopal Church in Micronesia serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade; and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School, Guam’s newest Archdiocesan Catholic co-educational high school, are just a few. Though she values her private school education, Erin Fleming, who attended Cathedral Grade School, St.Anthony School and the Academy of Our Lady of Guam, said it takes these key ingredients to make a successful student: personal motivation, self-discipline, an educator who will provide life-long learning experiences and parental and community leaders who will support and foster the growth of a student. Fleming is a teacher at Tamuning Elementary. THE HOMESCHOOL OPTION While there are many options for traditional schools, some believe homeschool best fits their needs. Homeschooling is the practice of educating children at home, typically by parents but sometimes by tutors, rather than in a formal setting of public or private school. Guam law states, “Children not attending a private full-time school and who are being instructed in study and recitation for at least three hours a day for 170 days each calendar year by a private tutor or other person, in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools of this Territory and in the English language, shall be exempted from attending the public school.” Les Smith of Barrigada shares his experiences homeschooling his children on
“It doesn’t matter if you attended public or private school. Success is up to the individual, and the education they receive is what they make of it.”
— Amy Y. Aguigui, Bank of Hawaii cash management and merchant services manager, GPSS graduate
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“It takes these key ingredients to make a successful student: personal motivation, selfdiscipline, an educator who will provide life-long learning experiences and parental and community leaders who will support and foster the growth of a student.” — Erin P. Fleming, fifth-grade teacher at Tamuning Elementary School
homeschoolblogger.com. He states though there is no mandatory reporting on homeschooling to any local agency or testing required, students should be taught the branches of study required in public schools. These include math, language arts, social studies and science. Smith said some notes of concern are in high school.“It is current Guam Public School System policy that no credit for any high school courses completed at home will be granted any credit by GPSS. This would mean, for example, if your child completes ninth grade at home, they cannot enroll in a GPSS public high school as a 10th grader. It is also GPSS policy that homeschoolers are not entitled to any benefits or services, including sports teams, provided by GPSS.” However, several homeschooled students are able to join sports teams and activities provided by private schools. The Guam Home School Association (GHSA) provides information on homeschooling in Guam, and on related activities, events and resources. The GHSA Web site states its purpose is to provide mutual support and encouragement to those in the community who choose to homeschool their children.
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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS KEY Research shows there are three areas in which parents can have enormous control over a child’s success in school: controlling student absenteeism, keeping a wide variety of reading materials available in the home and controlling the amount of television time. Aguigui said, “Parental involvement is extremely vital in supporting a child’s success. I see the benefits they reap versus [children whose] parents are not involved. Parental involvement promotes academic achievement, responsibility, effective communication, higher self-esteem … the list is endless. The saying goes, ‘Practice what you preach.’ If parents care about education, the child cares about education.” To support the family involvement theory, St. Francis School conducted several studies using student data to examine student success in school. Sr. Marsha Nededog, principal of St. Francis said, “The data showed those students who were highly involved or committed to
the school choir, the interscholastic sports program and other school activities did better than those students who did not participate at all.The professional staff also observed that [children whose parents] are supportive of their children’s education have developed a better attitude of being in school.” Fleming feels parental involvement needs to be emphasized. “This is evident across the board in all public schools,” she said. “This problem is increasing, especially with our economy’s financial crisis. Teachers try very hard to reach out to parents through school planners, newsletters, and parent-teacher conferences — the majority of which are not reciprocated.” Though parental involvement is an area of concern, Fleming said there are still a number of parents who are involved. “This [needed improvement] does not overshadow the parents that are involved. I assign numerous projects for my students, and it truly engages them in learning.” She added that it also increases family time. Fleming and Aguigui agree that personal motivation and self-discipline start within the student’s home. Studies show successful students have parents who establish a daily routine for doing homework, completing chores and having a family meal together. These routines are important in establishing a framework on which a child can build. Aguigui concluded, “The bottom line is that a person decides their path in life, and in order to achieve success, they must work hard and set realistic goals. I am a prodigy of the Guam Public School System, and without the support and guidance of my family, I don’t think I would be where I am today.”
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finance finance
Teach Your Child to Save
By Faith V. Realica
Money is an important tool in the world. Helping your children learn to manage it is an excellent habit to practice. flation sound like something you get from too much fiesta food, you probably need to revisit your approach to retirement. The good news From the time they learn to count, teaching your children to save can be one of the most important lessons you teach. “As early as possible, we need to instill the importance of saving money at the earliest stage of one’s life,” said Erwin Perez, director of operations and technology at Citibank. “Children, during their formative years, should already be informed about the value of saving money, using words, visuals and activities that they can easily relate to.” He added these activities will help them pick up on good spending habits that they can carry with them into adulthood. STORAGE SAVINGS Piggy banks aren’t just a cute storage system. They’re a great way to start teaching children how to save. Purchase or make one that your child will enjoy coming back to. Eleven-year-old Ginelle Pobre said she had an old sewing container since she was 7 years old. From then, she has upgraded to a bigger box to store her savings, but still has the money from her old jar. Some department stores sell containers with spiraling chutes and others that light 26
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up. By making “deposits” a fun activity, the amount will soon add up. Stepping up to using a bank is a jumpstart for kids to familiarize themselves with how a bank works and a good way to save up for larger expenses in the future. Search for a savings account that suits you
and your child. For example, Citibank’s Junior Savings Account is designed to help parents start saving for their child’s future. It also assists children in understanding why the habit of saving is important and how money can grow. SETTING GOALS With the allowance your children receive, urge them to save a certain percent. Start small and come up with a savings plan, even as little as 25 cents per week. Then create a chart and place it on a wall
finance finance where they can see it. In no time, they’ll see the savings. When you see your child making an effort to save, regardless of the amount, provide him or her with praise. A few words of encouragement will let them know that they are doing something good.
in their footsteps, the role of parents is very important. They should constantly reinforce the value of saving money not only by verbalizing it to their children, but by practicing it as well,” Perez said.
WANT VS. NEED Seven-year-old Ella Pobre knows the secret to avoid spending at the store. “You just got to ignore the stuff,” she said. With commercials glamorizing new products targeted at children, it’s hard for them not to want what they see on the television screen. Help your child distinguish between want versus need. It’s not uncommon for a child to pick up an item while browsing through the store. If they’re ready to head to the cashier, have them ask themselves questions, such as, Do I already have one? Will I still use it a few years from now? Is it in my budget? Thinking twice before handing in their hard earned money can help them become wiser spenders by having them make their own decisions. PARENTS PLAY A ROLE Parents are role models to their children in every aspect of their lives — including how they handle their money. If your children see that you are making an effort to save, then they will be more entitled to follow by example. Parents Ramon and Trini Pobre practice saving themselves. They made it a point to teach their three daughters to save at a young age and agree that saving is very important for your kids. “Because children emulate their parents and generally follow
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family table family table
You Are What You Eat
— Oh No!
By Janiece A. Sablan
When I find myself at a drive-thru for the third time in a week, the Mommy-guilt starts setting in. I start making mental notes to plan meals and snacks better so that I don’t get caught with a nest of chirping chicks who need a worm — or, in this case, a french fry to quell their urgent hunger. Planning healthy meals for our families can be challenging, but there is definitely hope, even for the worst canned-food offender.
Time is Not on My Side
According to Jeannie Guzman, mother of two from Harmon, “There is never enough time. I know we should eat better, but I usually squeeze in a quick dinner when I get off of work and when I’m tired, that doesn‘t always mean it’s something healthy.” Guzman is typical of many time-starved parents who often find that their intentions don’t match their actions. Several years ago, I bought a book that shows steps to planning and preparing up to one month of meals ahead of time. The idea seemed great, but with five small children, I wasn’t able to block off the six hours it took to prepare the entrees for the freezer! I recall Emeril Legasi from the Food Network talking about how most people plan out what they’ll wear or where they are going for the weekend, but won’t take more than two minutes to decide what to eat at the last minute. Key word:“plan.” Tammy Votaw, mother of three from Barrigada Heights, takes a proactive approach to meal planning. “I plan my meals for the week from our favorites I keep in a book,” she explained. She knows exactly what she will prepare for the entire week when she does her 28
grocery shopping so she doesn’t get caught without necessary ingredients. Most parents never get that organized, but if we write down 31 days’ worth of healthy meals that our families like, we can simply recycle the menu each month, occasionally adding something new for variety.
Picky Palates
Some parents find that their picky-eaters make planning meals even more difficult. Amazon sells 3,629 books on the subject! I have two picky eaters and one who has to be picky because of food allergies. I don’t like to harp on my kids about food, but I refuse to be a short-order cook. My solution is preparing food that can be “deconstructed.” When I make pasta with chicken, I keep everything plain and those who like sauce can add it and those who don’t can leave their meal plain. No complaints. I also learned the “buffet approach” from my mother-in-law, who is Super Woman when it comes to getting a great spread onto the table. She offers a little of this and a little of that (think Korean side-dishes). I might have a small bowl of edamame, a plate of carrot sticks, and sliced melon along with a main meal.
A Lot of Green for a Little Green
On Guam, a major concern is the price of eating healthy and for good reason. When a bag of grapes costs $8.45, and salad greens are sucking the green out of your wallet, a Sarah Lee pound cake for
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$4 looks pretty appealing. The reality of living on Guam is that there is a high cost to get fresh and frozen foods to the island that gets passed onto the consumers — us. Buying produce in season or that is grown locally can minimize the blow on the budget. (TIP: Mr. Wusstig’s sweet corn on the side of the road in Barrigada is awesome.) I admit to buying cherries right when they hit the shelves at $7 a pound, but that is truly a splurge. When buying fresh fruits and vegetables, just buy what you will use within a few days to avoid spoilage. I also cut up fruits that are on the verge of over ripeness and put them in Ziplock bags in the freezer. I just grab a bunch of baggies and throw miscellaneous fruits into the blender for healthy smoothies that all of my kids enjoy. We even play a “Guess the Fruit” game to add interest to the cold treat.
Old Habits Die Hard
It is easy to fall into old habits when it comes to preparing meals. We feed our children what our parents fed us. Based upon local health concerns with diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, this is likely not a good thing. Renee Veksler, Guam Memorial Hospital health educator and acting program coordinator for the Get Healthy Guam Coalition, said “Healthrelated concerns over the local diet are
family table table family well-documented. What are some tips to help busy families today stop the cycle of feeding their children fast meals out of cans or fast food from a drive-thru?” She offered these suggestions for parents: • Learn how to prepare healthy meals. You can take classes. Some classes are available from the UOG Cooperative extension office, 735-2030. There are also classes offered at some mayors’ offices and the SDA Wellness Center. Learn ways to make your favorite dishes healthier. • Keep a regular schedule by having meal times. Better attention can be paid to portion sizes at the table. • Provide good snacks and meals from the house. Serve fruits and vegetables with every meal, about a pound or more per day per person, not counting potatoes. Choose more whole grains such as brown rice and whole wheat bread. • Limit junk food. Fast food and soda pop can be treats, maybe once or twice a month. It’s better not to keep high-fat and high-sugar snacks in the home. A can of a sugared drink like soda has about 40 grams of sugar, which is about 10 teaspoons of sugar; 150 calories is a lot of calories for one can. To burn it off will require about 30 minutes of walking or 15 minutes of rope jumping. • Offer water. It’s recommended to limit juice to about 8-12 ounces of juice for teens and 4-6 ounces for children under 7 years old. • Moderate intake of preserved meats such as ham, bacon and sausage.
In addition to these tips, Veksler recommended incorporating physical fitness activities into your family’s day. She added, “To personalize your meal plan, one can log onto the MyPyramid Menu Planner web site at http://www.mypyramidtracker. gov/planner/. By typing in your age, gender, weight, height and physical activity level, the site can help you plan menus based on your weight or plan menus to help you move toward a healthier weight.”
Plan What You Eat & Eat What You Plan
The over-riding theme for ensuring healthy food is available in your home is planning. Whether you use one of the many Web sites available, such as thescramble.com or mealz matter.org, take meal preparation classes, or simply plug healthy meals into a planner, taking the time in the front end will surely save calories, health concerns, stress, and waste later. Janiece resides in Agana Heights with her husband Greg and five children ages 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2. She is also the president of a non-profit organization working to open U’zeum Children’s Discovery Museum of Guam. The Get Healthy Guam Coalition is a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and motivate people to actively engage in healthy lifestyles. They have many helpful suggestions on their Web site at www.gethealthyguam.org.
June 2009 guamfamily.net
29
parenting parenting
Value
The
Yt|à{ of
Whether it’s praying together or sharing a meal, tying one’s beliefs to daily activities produces happier, well-rounded individuals.
By Faye Varias
30
June 2009 guamfamily.net
parenting parenting When you wake up in the morning, what propels you to get out of bed? The obvious answers are to go to work, school and take care of your responsibilities. But looking at the big picture, what is it that you hold important to you? What is your sense of purpose? When life gets you down and you whisper silently to yourself to keep going, it’s likely that you’re talking to a higher power, asking for guidance. In Guam, the practice of faith isn’t uncommon. Faith plays a big role in our everyday lives — and it should. According to a study conducted by the American Journal of Psychiatry, religion has a direct, physical effect on one’s health and can be credited for getting people out of depression. It is also a foundation on which many families build.
A Foundation of Faith
Clare Calvo, of Maite, said, “Faith in God is the central force in my family. I grew up with a strong foundation in the Catholic Church and have since found religion and spirituality to hold … significance in my life.” She said she is grateful to have grown up in a family where God held a central role. “I have held these values throughout my life close to heart and trust I always will.” However, she also believes that God speaks in many languages.
Gaghan Sachdej, of Barrigada Heights, was raised practicing Sikhism, an Indian religion most recognizable by uncut hair and men in turbans. Now that Sachdej has his own family, he said he tries to instill values in them to make them appreciate life. “I try to teach my kids about giving thanks and praise to God,” he said. Some families depend on their faith to guide their family decisions. Devout Seventh Day Adventist Christian Carmen Kasperbauer, of Yona, said, “Loving each other or conducting ourselves in a way that allows us to see the positive in others and carry a true sense of appreciation for them, creates a way to get through life’s struggles with a smile and an ever-fresh concept of hope. Challenges in life will always exist simply because we are human — we’re not perfect, but being aware of Jesus’ divine perfection, knowing what He wants from us, and adhering through our devotion, talents, and treasures; these challenges become so minor in the scheme of life.” She added, “Simply put, in order for anyone to call themselves Christian, they should want to follow and imitate the good examples, conduct, and beliefs of Jesus.”
Tying Faith to Work Life
Just as race, gender and sexual orientation equality are important in everyday life, so is the respect of one’s religion. In the world of
June 2009 guamfamily.net
31
parenting parenting corporate diversity, this means one must be able to be who they are at home, at work and even at school. WorkMatters, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to enabling employees to practice their faith even while at work. David Miller, author of the book, God at Work: The History and Promise of the Faith at Work Movement, said it’s a genuine social movement, a confluence of forces including an increase in non-Western immigration, rising religiosity among management-level baby boomers and a search for meaning prompted by 9/11, reported the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania. “The old paradigm of leaving your beliefs behind when you go to work is no longer satisfying,” said Stew Friedman, practice professor of management and director of the Wharton Work/Life Integration Project. “More than ever, people want work that fits in with a larger sense of purpose in life. For many people, that includes a concept of God, or something like it.” He said, “Most people want to have more of themselves alive and active in their work. The more they can be a whole person at work, the more energy, focus and motivation they have to offer.”
Personal Practices
Krista Anderson of Santa Rita said her family embodies the phrase, “A family who prays together, stays together.” She said, “We all attend the same church and go to mass on Sundays at the same time.” After church, they all usually share a meal together and talk about what’s going on in their respective lives. Anderson believes their faith in the Catholic Church binds them and is the root of all the support they provide each other. She especially appreciates this support as she prays for her husband who is deployed. Bruce Cook, a Jehovah’s Witness, said, “Our religion plays a very important role in our daily lives. We view God as a loving father and we want him to be proud of us, so we try to live in a way that makes him happy. That includes the everyday decisions we make.” He also believes that God cares about everything we do, including the little things. “Applying Bible principles in everyday situations sometimes make us stand out as different, or odd, but we expect that. It’s what Jesus meant when he said that his followers would be ‘no part of the world,’” he said. Maria Cristobal, freelance writer for Guam Family contributed to this piece.
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June 2009 guamfamily.net
June 2009 guamfamily.net
33
parenting parenting
Check out these
youth summer programs to keep busy during the summer.
Operation Purple
Crocodile Dock
Operation Purple Camp Guam is offered to children of
Christ’s
deployed parents, ages 7 to 12, where campers will gain a
“Crocodile
greater perspective on what life is like for their military parent.
kindergarten through sixth grade. The
Through mock deployment activities, visits to a variety of military
vacation bible school will be held from
installation operations and environmental awareness activities
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from July 27 to
on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, your child
31 at the Guam Airport Plaza. For more information, call Linda
will have an opportunity to bond with other military children
at 472-5484 or 777-2693 or e-mail cbfguam@yahoo.com.
Bible
Fellowship
Dock”
to
presents
children
in
in a fun, safe and understanding environment. All activities are designed to empower and inspire military youth through
Dededo Summer Camp
social support network building, physical activity and targeted
The Dededo mayor’s office will hold its annual summer camp
learning. The program for children ages 7 to 9 is from July 7 to
program for children ages 5 to 12. Prospective participants
11 and the program for children ages 10 to 12 is from July 14
may register from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the mayor’s office, with
to 18. For more information, contact Amy Davis at 564-1851 or
a limit of 80 children per session. Session 1 is from June 1 to
amy.davis@fe.navy.mil or Jillene Tardiff at 564-1851 or jillene.
12, session 2 is from June 22 to July 3 and session 3 will be
tardiff@fe.navy.mil.
July 13 to 24.
34
June 2009 guamfamily.net
parenting parenting Summer Youth Swimming and Safety Program
Hurao Summer Program
The PEACE office welcomes participants to its 14th annual
Chamorro speaking, reading and writing, culture/traditions/
Summer Youth Swimming and Safety Program for children ages
values, dancing/chanting, weaving, cooking, planting, arts and
5 to 15 at $50 per participant. Orientation day will be June
crafts, hut building/thatching, canoe carving/paddling, carving,
19 at the Hagåtña swimming pool. Participants will learn about
Chamorro games, historic field trips, and camp. Second session
swimming, drug prevention, self-esteem, team building, tennis,
is from July 6 to July 31 and will include Chamorro theater arts.
cooking and other extracurricular activities. The program will be
To sign up or register, visit any GTA TeleGuam retail location.
held 8 a.m. to noon June 23 to July 31, Tuesdays and Thursdays
GTA Teleguam sponsors Chamorro cultural sessions, with the first session to be held June 8 to July 2. Lessons and activities will include
for session 1, and Wednesdays and Fridays for session 2.
Kontenda’s Summer Fitness
Call 477-9079~83 or download a registration form at www.
Kontenda’s
peaceguam.org. Submit the registration form the PEACE office in
fitness for children ages 5 and
Hagåtña together with your payment to reserve a slot.
older from June 8-19; June 22-July
Department
of
offers
summer
3; July 6-17 and July 20-31. Camp
Fishing Derby The
Gym
will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Agriculture’s
with half-day sessions available.
Division of Aquatic and Wildlife
Featured
Resources is sponsoring a kids
games and activities, arts and
marine fishing derby clinic from 9 to
crafts, movies, field trips, basketball,
11 a.m. on June 27 and Aug. 15 at
soccer, baseball, volleyball, boxing,
the Bill Muna Pavilion in Mangilao.
Tae Kwon Do, nutrition and more. Fees are $175 per session,
Participants will be instructed on basic
$475 for three sessions, $600 for all four sessions. Lunch and
fishing skills including fishing gear and which bait to use, knot
drinks are available for purchase upon request. Call 777-9230
tying, casting and fishing safety rules. For more information, call
to sign up.
Anna Cariaso at 735-3987/4037.
will
be
educational
Cool Summer Program
University of Guam Adventure Sports Camp
The Harvest Christian Academy’s Cool Summer Program will be
Campers ages 5 to 15 will engage in skill development in
held May 26 to July 11 for K3 through seventh-grade students.
various sports, participate in recreational games and be exposed
Kids will learn about space each week as the universe is explored.
to educational programs. There will be one major excursion
Classes are conducted in air-conditioned, carpeted classrooms,
each session at a designated water park, presentations by
with a top-of-the-line cafeteria. Weekly activities include water
lecturers and a certificate of participation and T-shirt awarded
days, field trips, bowling, archery,
to each participant. The programs are
pinewood derby cars, hiking, and
divided by Camp ABCs for ages 5-6;
more. The fee is $875 per student for
Camp Discoverers for ages 7-8; Camp
seven weeks with a $100 rebate for
Explorers for ages 9-11; Camp Extreme
students enrolled for the 2009-2010
for ages 10-15. The camp will be held
school year; or $155 per student per
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through
week with a $15 rebate for students
Friday (closed on holidays) June 8 to 19;
enrolled for the 2009-2010 school
June 22-July 3; July 6-17; and July 20-
year. Lunch and snacks are not
30.
included. Late stay (3:30-5:30 p.m.) is
The cost is $200 per two-week session
$9 per day. Applications are available
(includes $25 registration fee). Call 735-
in the school’s main office, or call 477-
2863 or e-mail uogrecstaff@yahoo.com
6341 or visit www.hbcguam.net.
or visit www.uog.edu for inquiries. June 2009 guamfamily.net
35
parenting parenting
Guam Adventist Academy
attending more than one session or families that enroll more than
Guam Adventist Academy presents Summer in the Arts Children’s
one camper on Ocean Camp. Pick up forms and information
Academy for children ages 4 to 12.
at UnderWater World in Tumon or call 649-9191, or e-mail
1st Session: June 8 - July 3
TammyJo@aquariumteam.com or call 483-9191.
2nd Session: July 6 - July 31 7am - 1pm $350 (4 Week Session)
Theater Camp
7am - 6pm $450 (4 Week Session)
The University of Guam Theater
Registration fee before June 3 is $25
Camp starts at 5 p.m. on June
Registration fee after June 3 is $75
8-July 17 at the UOG Fine Arts
Transportation and food services available at additional cost.
building for children ages 10
Please call Guam Adventist Academy at 789-1515 for more
to 14. Included will be mime,
information or email flores.cara@gmail.com.
improvisation,
Aquarium Summer Camp Registration is ongoing for UnderWater World’s
aquarium
summer
camp
crafts,
acting
work, and a performance of “Alice in Wonderland.” The fee is $500. Call Troy at 735-2715 for more information.
program from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June
Historical Park Summer Program
22-26, June 29 to July 3, July 6-10,
The War in the Pacific National Historical Park summer program
July 13-17 and July 27-31. This
is offering workshops for youth ages 15 to 19. Call Theo
educational and fun camp includes
Chargualaf at 477-7278, ext. 1005 or pick up applications at
daily lunch, hands-on activities
mayors’ offices.
and conservation projects, beach party and daily educational activities
Talent Box Summer Camp
led by UnderWater World’s aquarists
Talent Box is offering a summer camp for the months of June and
and education team. The camp will end on
July! Registration fee is $50 and the cost is $300 for part-time
Aug. 1 with an overnight stay in the aquarium. Registration fee
students (7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and
for kindergarten through 10th grade in age-specific learning
$375 for full-time students (7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) Additional
category groups is $175 per session, with discounts for campers
costs for field trips.
36
June 2009 guamfamily.net
June 2009
calendar of calendar of events events
sun
mon
1
Dededo Summer Program Session I June 1 - 12.
GTA Sprint Series #3
7
tue
2
wed
3
thu
4
8
9
10
11
15
16
17
18
23
24
25
University of Guam Summer Theatre Camp June 8 - 17 Adventure Sports Camp June 8 - 19 Kontenda’s Summer Fitness Session I June 8 - 19 Hurao June 8 - 19
14
Happy Father’s Day Olympic Distance at USO Beach in Piti.
21
Gef Pa’go Chief Gadao Cultural Camp. June 15 - 26
Dededo Summer Program Sessio June 22 - July 3
22
Kontenda’s Summer Fitness Session II June 22 - July 3
14th Annual Summer Youth Swimming and Water Safety Program Session I T & Th and Session II W & F. June 23 - July 31
UnderWater World Summer Program Session I June 22 - 28
28
38
29
June 2009 guamfamily.net
30
calendar calendarof of events events
9dc½i b^hh dji dc i]Z [jc i]^h bdci]
fri
Calendar of Events in June
5
June 1 - 12 • Dededo Summer Program Session I. Registration is available at the mayor’s office.
sat
Tamuning Fiesta
Hui Aikane Golf Club’s 16th Annual Aloha Classic.
6
June 6 • Tamuning Fiesta June 6 & 7 • Hui Aikane Golf Club’s 16th Annual Aloha Classic. Contact Mike Tomita at 727-7755 or e-mail mstomita@hotmail.com. June 7 • GTA Sprint Series #3 at USO Beach in Piti.
12
Chalan Pago Fiesta
19
13
Toto Fiesta
20
June 8 to July 17 • University of Guam Summer Theatre Camp. For ages 10 to 14. Call Troy at 735-2715. June 8 to 19 • Kontenda’s Summer Fitness Session I for ages 5 and older. Call 777-9230 to sign up. • University of Guam Adventure Sports Camp Session I. Call 735-2863 or e-mail uogrecstaff@yahoo.com or visit www.uog.edu for inquiries. June 8 to July 3 • GAA Summer in the Arts Children’s Academy Session I June 15 - 26 • Gef Pa’go Chief Gadao Cultural Camp. Contact Historic Inalahan Office at 828-1671/1672. June 19 • Chalan Pago Fiesta
Agat Mango Festival June 26 - 27
26
Youth Marine Fishing Derby Clinic.
27
June 20 • Toto Fiesta June 21 • Olympic Distance at USO Beach in Piti. June 22 - 26 • Dededo Summer Program Session II. • Kontenda’s Summer Fitness Session II. • UnderWater World Summer Program Session II. June 23 to July 31 • 14th Annual Summer Youth Swimming and Water Safety Program. June 26 to 28 • 3rd Annual Agat Mango Festival. June 27 • Youth Marine Fishing Derby Clinic. Call Anna Cariaso at 735-3987/4037. If you’d like to place your special event or sports activity on our calendar, e-mail us at editor@guamfamily.net. June 2009 guamfamily.net
39
centerstage centerstage
FD Grad Heads to West Point Sang Woo Choi excels in school and in life with 99 percent effort and 1 percent talent. By Faye Varias
did you know... FTaZ Tcc_\XW gb Y\YgXXa ceXfg\Z\bhf ha\iXef\g\Xf TaW jTf TVVXcgXW gb T__ bY g[X`! ;Xºf T_fb \aib_iXW \a T ah`UXe bY XkgeTVhee\Vh_Te TVg\i\g\Xf \aV_hW\aZ V[heV[ Zebhcf fcbegf gXT`f TaW ghgbe\aZ Zebhcf!
40
June 2009 guamfamily.net
When Sang Woo Choi first moved to Guam in the seventh grade, he barely spoke English. But now, he has the choice to attend college at 15 prestigious universities, including Yale University, Stanford University, West Point Academy or Emory Oxford College. “I came here not knowing anything about the language,” Choi said. “I had to put so much effort to catch up with my classmates.” Choi moved to Guam from Korea and attended St. Anthony School. “I had to stay up until 2 in the morning and wake up at 5 in the morning to study,” he said. “My commitment to studying English overcame my hardships.” With all his hard work, he graduated from Father Duenas Memorial School on May 10, with numerous awards and honors. During his four years at FDMS, he was an academic team captain and tutorial leader for the Naval Junior Reserved Officer Training Corps, student council treasurer, vice president and treasurer of the Korean Club, Community Assisted Policing Effort officer, St. Anthony
centerstage centerstage
Catholic School’s volleyball team assistant coach, Guam Onnuri Church Youth Group president and Youth Praise Team president. He was also a member of the Save Darfur Club, varsity volleyball team, Service Club and Culinary Club. “I was determined to study and serve many community services while doing school work.” One of his teachers said Choi is the best student he’s had during his entire teaching career. When he’s not studying or keeping up with his extracurricular responsibilities, he plays volleyball, ping pong, basketball, soccer and dabbles in photography and computers. He said the most interesting thing about him is being able to absorb information and learn things really fast. Even with his busy schedule, Choi managed to score a 2220 on his SAT reasoning test — just 180 points short of perfect. He got a perfect 800 in math, 710 in reading, and 710 in writing. On his SAT II subject tests, he scored a perfect 800 in Korean and a 780 in math. “I just thought I had to do this to have more opportunities to become successful in
my future life,” Choi said. “I think success can be made with 99 percent effort and 1 percent talent. I am a type of person who strongly believes that anything can be accomplished with effort.” With this, most would assume he would be accepted to just about any school to which he applies. And he did. “I applied to many schools and [was] accepted to all of those colleges: Yale, Stanford, Columbia, West Point, UC Berkeley, LA, San Diego, Irvine, Davis, Williams College, Emory University and its Oxford College, Macalester College, Air Force Academy and Naval Academy,” Choi said. He has narrowed his decision down to Yale, Stanford, West Point or Emory; he said he will most likely choose West Point. Renowned as the world’s premier leader development institution, the United States Military Academy at West Point accomplishes its mission by developing cadets intellectually, physically, militarily, ethically, spiritually and socially. The student body, or Corps of Cadets, numbers 4,400 and each year approximately
·< g[\a^ fhVVXff VTa UX `TWX j\g[ ,, cXeVXag XY Ybeg TaW $ cXeVXag gT_Xag! < T` T glcX bY cXefba j[b fgebaZ_l UX_\XiXf g[Tg Tal g[\aZ VTa UX TVVb`c_\f[XW j\g[ XYYbeg!¸ ¶ FTaZ Jbb 6[b\ 1,000 cadets join the journey as they graduate and are commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. One day, Choi hopes to become a dentist who specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He credits his father as his biggest source of inspiration. “He has given me words of wisdom and inspiration ever since I was young to shape me into the person I am today.” If you’d like to recommend a student who is making a difference, e-mail: editor@guamfamily.net.
Expand your Talents Today! For Children: Acting/Modeling Hula/Tahitian Tippy toes Ballet Hip-Hop/Creative Dance Jiu jitsu/Little Dragons Your Baby can READ Kindermusik/Sign Language Jump Rope/Theatre After School Tutoring
For Teenagers and Adults: ASVAB/GED Prep Women’s Hula Women’s Tahitian Women’s Belly Dancing Salsa, Meringue, Cha-Cha Hip-Hop Women’s Self Defense
Studio Hours: 7:30am-6:30pm Office Hours: 2pm-6pm Phone: 475-8269 Open Monday-Sunday Located in Maite across Plumeria Garden Hotel e-mail: thetalentbox@gmail.com June 2009 guamfamily.net
41
2
1 3
5 4 6
Identify each numbered item in the image on the corresponding line at the right. Then have fun coloring the picture!
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6. See Answers on page 48
42
June 2009 guamfamily.net
Let the fun begin! Circle the Chicken below:
Circle the Teddy Bear below:
Pet of the Month
Meet Anna! After a rough past, Anna is ready for her second chance at life and love. Imagine putting on a collar when you’re a child and never having it adjusted as you grew. As your body became bigger, it choked you, tighter and tighter. Slowly, it became embedded in your skin, digging deeper as your neck grew over it. Minutes, hours, days, years tick by and no one takes notice. This is what Anna went through before she was taken to the Yigo Animal Shelter. Luckily, she was saved by the GAIN 2nd Chance Boonie Rescue. Through the program, she received surgery to get the collar removed, was rehabilitated until her neck healed, and now, even after all her suffering, she is ready to give her heart to anyone who is willing to love her in return. Thanks to GAIN’s 2nd Chance Boonie Rescue Program, several people met Anna and, last month, she was adopted into a forever
home, with two yellow Labradors. This program is made possible by the generosity and commitment of GAIN’s members and volunteers. Every animal deserves to be in a loving home. But until that day happens, Guam Animals In Need will continue to work hard to rescue animals from situations such as Anna’s. But GAIN needs YOU. To help rescue more animals like Anna, become a GAIN member or donate to the 2nd Chance Boonie Rescue Program.As a 501 (c)(3) IRS-recognized organization, all of your contributions are tax deductible. Please call the Yigo Animal Shelter at 653-GAIN (4246) or visit www.myspace.com/guamanimalsinneed.
June 2009 guamfamily.net
43
Adopt a Cat Month Crossword
;Tccl 9Tg[Xe±f 7Tl ;bj gb FTl ®7TW¯ <a @Tal ?TaZhTZXf Afrikaans Albanian Arabic Bosnian Brazilian/ Portuguese Chamorro Dutch EastAfrican Filipino Finnish French Frisian German Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Indonesian Irish Italian Japanese Korean Latin Malay Mandarin Maori Palauan Portuguese Romanian Russian Samoan Sanskrit Spanish Swahili Yiddish 44
vader baba; atë babba; yebba; abbi (classical) otac pai tata vader; papa; pappie baba tatay isä papa heit banketi,Papi abba(h) Papa; Pita-ji apa bapa; ayah; pak athair; daidí babbo otosan ap-ba pater; papa; atta bapa bà; bàba(informal) haakoro; kohake chedam me a chedil pai tata papa tama tàtah; janak papá; viejo; tata baba; mzazi tatti; tay; foter; tateh
June 2009 guamfamily.net
Summer Fun Word Search
Kusina Kusina
Mung’ga by Denise Rita Santos Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Crust 2 frozen pie crusts (one for the bottom crust and the other for crisscross strips on top) 2 tsp sugar (sprinkle on top of pie crisscross crust) Filling 5 cups fresh Guam mango 2 cups white sugar 7 T corn starch 3 T all purpose flour 3 whole eggs Whipped Cream (optional) Place pie crust in pampered chef 9” pie pan and set aside. Mix all filling ingredients thoroughly. Pour into ready-made pie crust, let settle. Cover top of pie with pie crust strips in a crisscross pattern. Secure sides and sprinkle sugar on top pie crust.
Mini Rubies by Denise Rita Santos Preheat oven to 375 degrees. You Will Need: 1 box velvet cake mix (mix as directed) 1 teaspoon vanilla 5 drops red food color 1 box vanilla bean ice cream In medium bowl, combine box velvet cake mix, vanilla and food color and mix well. Scoop batter in mini muffin pan and fill up each section just half way. Bake seven to 10 minutes until cake springs up. Cool completely on a cooling rack then remove them from baking pan. Place three mini rubies in dessert cups or bowls with two scoops of ice cream and enjoy! Makes eight servings.
Place in preheated oven. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes (until bubbling), or 20 minutes at 325 degrees until crust is light brown. Remove from oven. Set on cooling rack until cool. Cut into 10 slices with topped whipped cream and enjoy.
Have a recipe you’d like to share? E-mail high-resolution photos, ingredients and instructions to editor@guamfamily.net, and you may be published in the next edition of Kusina in Guam Family! June 2009 guamfamily.net
45
family traditions family traditions
Daddy’s Wtç
By Janiece A. Sablan
F
amous television dad “Bill Cosby” once said, “Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope.” Fortunately for dads on Guam, soap-on-a-rope is not a local favorite. Perhaps a Ferrari-calibre barbeque grill, a comfy hammock for the back yard, or a cool, new iPod (beware, you will probably have to download music and video for him if Dad is beyond Baby Boomer generation). Dads deserve some careful deliberation and planning to show them just how special they really are. Father’s Day can be broken into two parts the gift and the event. Here are some tips for the yays and nays of gift-giving. v No more golf paraphernalia. He will just stick the new mini-putting green next to the golf ball shaped book ends in a closet somewhere. v No ties. Men on Guam rarely wear ties, so if you’ve been giving your hubby or Dad a tie every year for the last 20 years — stop it now! v No socks and underwear. Socks and underwear are not gifts — they are socks and underwear. v No new fishing gear — especially if Dad never goes fishing. v No T-shirt that says “World’s Best Dad” or “#1 Dad.” He will feel obliged to wear it and be brutally embarrassed the whole time — especially if Father’s Day falls on a work day. If you have to, put it on a coffee cup. Bring It On! v A gift certificate for a well-deserved massage. v A new Shindawa bush cutter. This is Guam. v Take his vehicle to get detailed. Nothing like a clean truck on Father’s Day! v Power tools! Even if he’s never built a thing in his life, he can dream, can’t he? v A new pair of good zories. Again, this is Guam. v Drum roll please … the ultimate Dad basket three rolls of Charmin (giant size), a couple of good sports magazines, a kitchen pass to ride his Harley 46
June 2009 guamfamily.net
family traditions family traditions for half the day, $20 to buy lunch at Jeff’s Pirate’s Cove on his drive, and an oversized universal remote for that constant channel surfing that he so loves. Winner! The Main Event Myrna Duenas of Dededo said the best gift she ever got her Dad was a massage chair that he still sits in every day after work. “He was as excited as a little kid when he saw it,” explained Duenas. Her dad “Thomas” said, “It was the best gift I ever got for Father’s Day. That was 10 years ago. I think it’s time for a new one!” With an uncertain economic environment, people seem
to be focused on spending more time and less money. The Duenas family traditionally cooks for all the fathers in their family and does a big potluck at one of the children’s homes. “We know Dad enjoys having everyone around even when he says, ‘It’s too noisy,’” says Myrna. Families on Guam typically enjoy family gatherings with potlucks or barbeques. Some choose to take the festivities to a hotel to let someone else do the cooking and the clean up. Most major hotels across the island offer Father’s Day specials that range from $32 to $45 per adult and average $18 per child. If you don’t already have a family tradition, this might be a great time
to start one. The kids can take part in planning the festivities, Dad will always know what to expect and Mom doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel every year. The important thing to remember is that it’s a day to appreciate all the fathers. Let them know how much they are treasured and loved. Even if you have to download Kenny Rogers or Engelbert Humperdink on his new iPod or marinate short ribs and chop chicken for kelaguen all night — dads are worth it!
If you don’t already have a family tradition, this might be a great time to start one. The kids can take part in planning the festivities, Dad will always know what to expect and Mom doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel every year.
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sneak peek sneak peek
Coming Next Month! Choosing Childcare – How do you know which system is best for you? Dealing With Deployment – Families everywhere are dealing with the War on Terror. How are our local families coping? In Our Regular Departments: Rules of the Road Raising Optimistic Children Family Exercise Options Listening to Your Teen Cool Picnic Ideas and MORE!
ANSWERS TO PAGE 40 1. CLAM 2. DOLPHIN 3. BLOWFISH
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4. OCTOPUS 6. FISH 6. BUBBLES