Oh my goodness, when it rains it pours. I really want a dog, like, in 2 YEARS. I JUST moved into my new place, and am NOT ready for a dog yet. Omg okay fine, because he is sooooooooo cute!
So I went to Bali in October 2016, and I told you all that I fell in love and would be back sooner rather than later. Well, I decided to start 2017 with an adventure back to Bali! It was amazing, even though I did get the infamous “Bali Belly” while I was there. Really …
Studio has been renovated over the last few months, and I had my soft opening at the beginning of October. The grand opening will be December 10th. Here are photos of the renovation process. All that is left to do is install the flooring, some window treatments, and some basic decor.
Since I’ve been back from an epic vacation with friends to Bali, the first question I get is, “how was your trip?” I have started answering “lame” or something similar, because I got tired of repeating “amazing.” Who goes to Bali and has a lame experience? Not me! I guess it helps that I was …
Today is my son’s 11th birthday, and he stayed home with me because he isn’t feeling well. Every year my sons’ birthdays remind me to reflect, because their arrival into this world were huge milestones. I can’t believe how much has happened in 11 years. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the utterly amazing. …
More photos from the random shenanigans this summer, ranging from beach days, the Electric Island Festival, book launch painting event for Handful of Smoke, studio painting shenanigans, fun with friends and family, skateboarding adventures, painting on location photoshoots and of course, beautiful shots of nature.
YES, that title needs to be in CAPS and with as many exclamation points as possible, because this is a dream come true for me. This is a huge step in the right direction for me, something I’ve wanted for so long. I have so much more space to work with, and I’m excited to …
Summer is rolling by quickly, especially since it started out with a crazy bang when FestPac took over for a couple weeks. It’s all an adventurous blur right now, as we get into the usual summer swing of things. Here are the adventures over the last month or so, as told through photos:
At the end of every month I share photos from all the random adventures of my life between paintings. There is never a shortage of nature captures, fun in the sun, friends, family, and miscellaneous shenanigans. April’s batch of fun imagery is no exception!
The weekend was filled with adventure and beauty at the 1st annual Valley of the Latte Festival in my home village, Talofofo. I was one of the artists exhibiting, and while I have let go of doing most events, this one pulled me in with the natural beauty of the land.The 2-day event is held along …
What a month! It isn’t even quite over yet. March continues to march to the beat of its own drum, urging us all to do the same. So many surprises, travel, simple adventures in nature, risks and rewards, hard work, reflection, captures of beauty, letting go, spring break at the pool, the beach & the …
Asheville can’t get rid of me now, I’m hooked! This was my 2nd trip, as part of the Uplevel Gold business retreat. Since I didn’t get to visit the Biltmore estate the first trip, I made it a priority in advance this time. And I guess I got lucky, because apparently they don’t usually allow …
Ok, I will be honest, it was hard just to write that title. As difficult and bittersweet as it’s been to come to this decision, I know it is the right one. Here’s why. In order to convey what led to this decision, let me go back in time to when I had the inspiration …
January has been full of fun, all alongside kicking off the year and getting in gear business-wise. Including, though not limited to: Hiking, goats (Wendy, specifically), kids, dogs, surfing, surfboard making, happy hour, networking, events, reading, retreat, art, MoSa’s Joint, and more surfing. I will let the photos do the storytelling in this case!
Ready or not, here we come! Every day is a new day, and here we are at the start of a new year cycle. It’s important to remember other cycles in our lives though. Rhythms and routines are everywhere, in nature, our bodies, our behaviors. The way I have built my life in the last …
What a year of surprises! Between painting on a wedding dress, travel to Asheville, live art at the Electric Island Festival, receiving the award for Home-Based Business Champion of the year by the SBA, and so much more, it has been eventful to say the least! Looking back, these are some of my most memorable …
November has been quite a month!!! Here are the adventures in a photo-recap, including Guam scenery at the beach, on a jungle/cave hike, the moon, my dog, the kids, surfing adventures, art adventures, women in business conference, food gatherings with friends, and miscellaneous selfies and fun:
Previous posts detailed my trip to Asheville, North Carolina for a business retreat as a part of the Uplevel Academy Gold program that I am in. I shared about the retreat, and then did a whole post on my explorations of downtown Asheville as well as a post just for my explorations of the River Arts District in Asheville. …
As you saw in my previous posts, I recently went on a trip to Asheville, North Carolina for a business retreat as a part of the Uplevel Academy Gold program that I am in. I shared about the retreat, and then did a whole post on my explorations of downtown Asheville. This is a separate …
Amazing art, food, beer, and pretty trees! These are a few of my favorite things! My previous post included my reflections and pictures from the Uplevel Academy Gold business retreat that I attended last week. I got to town a few days early, so took advantage of that and explored all over downtown Asheville, and …
The latest in my world includes my dear friend’s birthday celebration, hanging at friends’ houses, helping with a carwash fundraiser for the new MoSa’s Joint, the latest surfboard shaped by my dad, late night painting sessions and collaborations, crazy hair days, and the Nightshow event that raised money for typhoon relief in Saipan. Boom. Enjoy!
Nature is seriously at the top of my list of “things” I love. Just sitting and being, enjoying the view, soaking up the peace and quiet, admiring the beauty in the simple things, like a leaf, or two fluttering butterflies… The moon rising, moss on a tree, a fading sunset by the beach, interesting cloud …
A photo journal of the last month’s adventures, life milestones, inspirations, random shenanigans, errands, creative projects, and scenic moments. A story in imagery from one full moon to the next!
Just as the title states: Skyscapes, Seascapes, Winescapes, Chill Sessions, Studio Shots & Surfboards are what you’ll find in this photo-journal blog post! Enjoy and cheers.
Hafa adai! This weekend I had the special honor of leading a Creative Session focusing on the healing power of art. Art has a natural way of being healing, simply through the act of creating. The creative process is something that happens in everyday life… You have an idea, or see something inspiring. You have …
Had some summer adventures already, cruising between work stuff, chilling with my boys, relaxing with friends, indulging in life, and finding creative inspiration everywhere. Loving life, appreciating the little things.
On May 15th, typhoon Dolphin splashed over Guam, and while it wasn’t too destructive, we were left without power and water for almost a week. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but definitely set me back in my business a bit! Had so much catching up to do, but I did …
Some photos from the miscellaneous events and gatherings over the last week, including: Artist appreciation night by GIFF (Guam International Film Festival), before they debuted the Spring Showcase on Saturday April 18th. Other adventures included grandpa/grandson surf session, a captured rhino beetle, and a multi-celebration (3 birthdays and my parents’ 42nd anniversary) with my family …
We celebrated Easter yesterday on Guam, and the weather was beautiful! It was fun day filled with a lot of colors, family, friends, and food. The kids also had fun playing the parachute game, as well as other adventures and mischief of course).
When I was about ten years old, I got into making little fairies out of wire, embroidery thread, silk flowers & leaves, and beads. I stopped after awhile, but apparently my mom kept all my supplies in containers. I got a hold of it all recently, and eventually busted it out for a friend’s daughters …
Another Rick’s Reef Classic in the books! The 8th annual surf contest featured a high number of competitors this year, and was a fun day for the whole family. Results, as posted from the Guahan Napu Facebook Page: 2015 Rick’s Reef Classic VIII surfing, body-boarding and stand-up paddle surfing contest winners (Barrigada, Guam –– Sunday, …
So we got a dog last weekend! His name is Coco, and he originally showed up at my parents’ house (where I am now staying) as a puppy four years ago. My parents were having their kitchen renovated, and the couple that were building their cabinets ended up taking the puppy home with him and raising …
A photo journal of recent fun in nature, creative musings and other adventures captured on camera… these are the simple things in life that make me smile. These are the things that give me joy and peace. And then there are some random shots that are just snippets of life, like the little snaky snake …
Whew! This Holiday Season has been packed with fun memories. Had a great birthday celebration with friends, we did outdoor movies via projector (complete with blankets and popcorn and floating lanterns!), celebrated Christmas with family, chilled with friends at the pool, spent days and days surfing at Talofofo Bay and elsewhere, rang in the new …
Every summer the Marianas Yacht Club holds a 1-week sailing class for kids on Guam. They learn basic water and sailing skills, jammed into 5 days of fun. My 8 year old son took advantage of the first year they are offering a scholarship to a couple kids based on an essay contest on why …
On my way home from visiting with a friend, I decided at the last second to pull over to wait and catch the sunset. Found a lovely lone flower on the beach too. Turned out to be a beautiful mini adventure. Glad I followed that spontaneous urge.
There are so many books that I’ve read that really made a difference in my life, and I sometimes think to myself, “If only’ I’d read this when I was a teenager!” It is never too early, or too late, to learn more about yourself and what kind of life you want to create for …
Sharing some highlights from a lovely day with mamas. Mimosas, massage, delicious foods, henna, belly casting, belly dancing, music, artsy mandalas, doodling, singing, oh, and organic root beer floats with cappuccino rum say what?! SO freakin yummy.
I get asked about inspiration a lot. “What inspires you?” “Where do your ideas come from?” “How do you keep the process going?” Well the simple answer is: Living life. Every day there is something to be inspired by. Enjoying life, observing your surroundings, noticing things that catch your attention, appreciating beauty, having fun with …
Here on Guam, we didn’t really get to see much of the blood moon lunar eclipse because of the timing and cloudiness. Some friends and I took our kids down to “1st Beach” in Ipan here on Guam. The kids had fun… after they gave up whining about the bugs and fighting with each other for …
Awesome fun down at Talofofo Bay, as always. Here are some photos from the day:
This past week the Hui Nalu Ocean Club collaborated with Guam Visitors Bureau to bring a group of junior pro surfer girls to the island. Dax McGill, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Bailey Nagy, Kobie Enright and Reika Noro came to help out with the surf camp at the Onward Agana Beach Resort, as well hold the 1st ladies …
Just some highlights from my latest creative adventures… pretty flowers, a neighborhood peacock, a light show warehouse party for my friends’ ShipRight BoatShop grand opening, photo-art made out of selfies, and a close-up on the rooster painting I did recently.
What a beautiful full moon we just had! From where I live we get to watch it rise on the ocean horizon. And this full moon falls under the Tumaiguini moon cycle. The other day I caught a few shots of beautiful waves at a local surf spot. No one out! The photos don’t show …
This past week I finally made the move to call a local ranch and book a horseback riding lesson. I’ve been wanting to do this for what feels like FOR.EVER. The last time I was on a horse was when I was twelve and helping a family friend groom her horses and help her clean …
Living on Guam has its perks, like everyday access to the bluest of blue Pacific ocean! We have been enjoying the ocean, fishing, surfing, swimming, playing in the sand, going on the sailboat, and enjoying the company of a ton of dolphins. If interested in booking a sailing charter on the Rubicon, my dad’s boat, …
Summer surfing on Guam…definitely not peak season, but great for kids! I still enjoy surfing every once in awhile, but I am also happy to chill on the beach and watch others enjoy the water. I’ve been having fun trying to get some good footage of my son, my little surf grom. He’s had fun …
The other day my older son was out surfing with his dad and friends. My little one came with me to my monthly radio show and the day evolved into date for the two of us. It was nice to spend some fun time with him, I want to do the same with his brother …
Took a walk with the boys at Ipan Beach. Had the place to ourselves, love midweek, midday beach visits! We walked barefoot (okay mostly me) on the sand and then onto the rocks, along the grassy path, spotted some fish, a sea bird, and looped around to Jeff’s Pirates’ Cove, and walked back to our …
Today my 5 year old and I went to visit the Amot Taotao Tano farm in Dededo here on Guam. A friend is working there part time for an internship, so we went up to help transfer some Shiso plants. On the Amot Taotao Tano website, it states: The Amot Taotao Tano Farm is there to try …
The awesome thing about working for yourself, making your own schedule, AND homeschooling, means we get to go to the beach any day we want, and we can avoid the weekend crowds if we wish. So on a quiet Wednesday, we headed down to Talofofo Bay for a family beach day. Some friends came down …
Earlier this week we spontaneously decided to finally check out the Talofofo caves. I hadn’t been there since I was a kid, and my boys recently expressed an interest in going up there. It was awesome! I forgot just how many caves there are, and what a cool adventure it is to explore. We will …
This week I started a Facbeook group called Living, Learning, Raising Guam: Resources & Support for families on Guam. It is a place for parents, families, teachers, and anyone who has great ideas and resources for living and learning on Guam. It is a place to share, to ask questions, to seek support, to find ideas …
Looking for some fun ideas for your family to get into this summer on Guam? I’ve done some looking, and here are some of the programs, camps, and other opportunities that I’ve come across: Inetnon Gefpa’go- Manhoben Escape Summer Program …
This morning I had my aha moment. So I’ve always kind of been what friends would call the “radical hippy” because I love art, want to change the world, envision utopia, challenge authority and preconceived ideas, am not satisfied with the structures of government institutions and the pharmaceutical world, I birth my babies at home …
When the weekend was over, we decided to begin it again by starting our 2-day hotel stay at the Guam Reef. The room stay was part of partial trade worked into the art commission project I did for the hotel lobby, an example of how you can get creative with your business and life transactions. …
What a glorious full moon we had on April 25th! Here on Guam, I celebrated and enjoyed the 3 days of full moon by going with Garden Day friends on a hike through the red dirt hills of Manenggon, then a full moon 8th birthday for my niece. I didn’t take many pictures during the …
So I am admittedly one of those artist moms who is squeamish about her own kids’ messes. It is rare that my kids get to indulge in messy fun kid stuff, and when it happens, it’s outside. With a tarp. And a hose. And towels, cleaning spray, a mop, okay okay just kidding, I’m not …
What a wild week! Fun in the sun, beach park, painting, yacht club, surf contest, surf class.
Another awesome Easter egg hunt, bbq and family/friends FUN. Tons of super yummy food, colorful eggs, outfits, flowers, and kids. This seems to be the one gathering of the year that we get a different variety of friends and family who make it out to Talofofo for this holiday. The kids played outside in the …
Today I have just one boy with me, and we went down to surf at the bay, but he didn’t want to get in. Decided to have a Power Ranger adventure at the beach instead. Not often that we go and don’t get in the water! We had fun though, drumming on bamboo, practicing our …
This past Sunday I attended (and helped host) a witchy weekend retreat with 12 other magical sisters (so 13 of us altogether) and it was so nourishing and energizing. Exactly what we all needed. We took care of each other by trading gifts. One gave herbal henna hair treatments (and henna on one pregnant belly). …
Henna is an awesome herbal hair treatment for conditioning and coloring without using toxic chemicals. Henna is a plant, used for hair dye or as a body art “paint.” It lasts on the skin and hair a few weeks to a month or two depending on individual’s skin and hair type and the henna paste …
So now that our dear friends have shifted back over to homeschooling, we have more opportunities to play and learn together. Homeschooling for me, IS parenting. It is extremely challenging, and also very rewarding. There is sometimes instant feedback (wow, he’s learning! or wow this is NOT working) and other times we are left wondering, …
This past week has been another creative whirlwind. My facebook status the other day read: A busy week of living & learning. Enjoying time in the yard, playing soccer, climbing trees, identifying plants, eating yummy foods, boiling herbs, playing sudoku, reading National Geographic, watching movies and cartoons, practicing reading, writing & math, going surfing, painting, …
Life has been flowing fairly smooth lately. I’ve been busy, with painting, creative sessions, website updating, business brainstorming & planning, home organizing & cleaning, and of course, being & learning with my boys. There have been some challenges, like keeping on course with nurturing myself and staying balanced between work and rest. There are so …
I am pleased to announce that Dinana Famalao’an (which means “a gathering of women” in Chamorro), is hosting a women’s circle every month (new moon) here on Guam. The first one, called “New Beginnings,” was held this past Saturday at UOG, and I attended with my mom. We absolutely loved it. We hosted the refreshments …
Art is not limited to a canvas! Everything is art in my world, and I’ve painted my hair red. Violet. Reddish violet. Big move for me! This is no subdued look, and in order to rock it, boldness is required. I think that might end up being my word of the year: Bold. And Alicia …
Big cup of coffee in hand, it’s quite the day today! Already had my Trevo wellness drink, breakfast, played a bit of badminton and “archery” in the yard with the boys this morning. Wrote an extensively fabulous My Everyday Magic post last night. Doing some fun mundane stuff this morning like laundry and dishes. Opened …
Just want to throw a few thoughts out there in regards to the concerns of the beautiful island that has been my home since birth, Guam, or Guahan. First, I am grateful to those who continue to read up on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and related documents, and stay on top of important issues …
So I “homeschool” my boys here on Guam. I use that word with a lot of flexibility, to allow for the organic nature of learning and creativity. I appreciate so much that we are free to choose what direction we want to go, it opens up whole new worlds of learning! We can go so …
I am back from the Fairy Congress and am bursting with love and inspiration. I really am. Have you ever felt like so much of you has been transformed, integrated and shifted, that you just don’t know where to begin to explain those changes to people? Well I feel a bit that way right now. …
Sooo… I usually do NOT like the word transition. Feeling in limbo can be so uncomfortable, as if we are neither here nor there. I’ve felt this MANY times in my life. Wanting to feel solid, HOME, clear and yet feeling that uncertain floatiness (technical term here) and oh the waiting! Well, I want to …
How can your care for the earth in your own unique way? Whether you are an artist or an accountant, you have your own unique gifts and can apply them toward caring for the earth. Think of your strengths, what delights you. The cool thing is, there is no one answer, but there is always one …