Feel like you've been CHEATED?

I like the post Ed Propst recently made regarding CUC's tight-lip on the fuel surcharge.  Shell and Mobil took a week before we saw the drop in gas price at the pumps.  It's great to get these extra savings, but what about our infamous CUC, have they come full circle in the fuel pricing agenda?

I remember when CUC announced they will reduce the monthly fuel surcharge based on the changing rates of oil per barrel as indicated to be fair to the people. The "Consumer Rights Act"?  Hmmmm.  I am not sure to be exact, but I do believe that they should be pricing the fuel surcharge similar to how the pumps at the stations convert their pricing when necessary.  Although the pumps still move at a week behind, I still say it's better than CUC moving at a month or two behind, Don't you feel like you've been cheated?

Yes, our recent house utility bill dropped significantly, from what it was two months back, but whoah...That was a significant drop that actually helped so much,  Should I thank CUC for this? Crazy to think that they have saved me for that time alone, who knows this next billing will not reflect the change in fuel pricing so they are getting the best of me, you, and the whole CNMI utility paying population.

8 Reasons to Smile!

It is hard not to think about why we wake each morning.  The drive and motivation to push yourself despite the fatigue and body pains experiencing from the day before.  Let us give our eight (8) reasons why we sacrifice everything that we are...

The boys, as cool as they are from left, Tony, Jay and Don...

Beautiful Hope as she poses for herself...

Smiles and funny faces from the little princesses, Peyton and Wayannie...

Little Sommer, should I be a drummer?

Tadah! the youngest of them all Wade...

Simply beautiful, our eight (8) reasons to keep on moving!

Island Life Quotes

Photo by Masataka Ishii/Rota SongSong Village Lookout

I would like to see what are the most inspiring island life quotes any blogger would come up with. On the Harry Blalock morning radio show today, I heard someone say "Listening is Healing". How true is that? However, it did catch my attention.  It made me think of all the confrontations that have passed through me over the years and even to present day.  If this in fact is a virtue that stands true to its words, then I surely would try it more often to see if it will subside any confrontations.

Akthough I mention about confrontations on how I see this virtue at work, it may be more significant than that.  It could be that of something spiritual, something solace and tranquil for oneself.  That I do see the virtue at its best.  Listening to yourself to heal the very worst of your feelings.  These are simply my opinions to the matter and others may have a different view.

What are your inspiring island life quotes you live by?  Share them by placing them on this post.

My Life Interest!

I am fascinated by a variety of cultures. I enjoy history and the array of wildlife found on this earth. So in order to satisfy my interest, I read about history, whenever a chance abroad - I visit a museum, watch television shows that pertain to culture, historical beliefs and way of life as well the wonders of the wilderness, it's millions of species in the world. Somehow I cannot get enough of it. It is purely entertaining for me, possibly very boring for others.

Photos like this, intrigue me.  My one dream is to find myself immersed in the African wild, or visit the Amazon to see the Pythons...A dream that would fascinate me, but for now, the closest I'll ever get to that is the television... What is your interest and how would you describe it?

A Great Nation

"This great nation was not built on the spending of its wealth....This great nation was built on the creating of it's wealth" as I recall was stated by Republican Presidential hopeful Senator John McCain in a recent rally.

As far as I heard in this morning AP news radio broadcast on FM 103.9, I was caught by that statement.  caught in the reason that I find it to be very true.  Our nation created its strength from the economy of greatness.  The economy driven by innovation and creativity stemming from the brilliance of american men and women.  The statement is true everywhere and can be applied even here if we want to.  If we wish to effect change in the way we live, we must start to think innovatively and creatively. We must all look at what little we can do to effect that change we want.  Voice your concerns, get involved, play a role, etc.  We are a small community and it will not change by itself.  

Change is also inevitable.  We must allow for change, but in respect, most do not conform to the need of change because it seems disruptive in what we are all used to.  "It takes one grain of rice to tilt the scale", are you that grain?

A New Way to Invest!

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago, you will have $49.00 today. If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you will have $33.00 today.  If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you will have $0.00 today. But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund, you will have received $214.00.  Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily and recycle. 

It is called the 401-Keg.

I received this from an email sent to me.  Worth sharing!

Fear and Love

I heard a radio broadcast program from the Harry Blalock's morning radio show today.  His guest who I was not able to recognize nor get his name is from Jamaica.  They spoke about the diving industry and how the passion for diving is instilled in the minds of those enthiusiasts who have dove here in our Marianas waters.  I take it from the show that they love it... A plus for the Marianas!

     Dive Photo by Masataka Ishii

Anyways, the thing that got me was the conversation on fear and love and how it is used to drive a persons will or passion for change.  As the program states "it is either of the two that can effect change in your life".  When you think of it, I'd have to agree with the comment.  It is for the sake of love that you work and diligent to provide for yourself and others you hold dear in your life, it is for the sake of fear that you hold back your passion to avoid hurting or in this case suffer the consequences of hardship.  As the program continues, it speaks of majority of the people wish not to move on their passion for the sole purpose of fear, but believe it is love to prevent the hardship. Which is it? What motivates YOU - Fear or Love?

I think to myself, yet another great topic to discuss and ponder on as you develop yourself with each passing day.  I have friends who have lost everything in their lives before they wake up and take all risk to effect change in themselves.  But what if you did not have to lose anything or everything, would you still decide to take that risk? Would you take your fears and move on the path towards your passion?  How far are you willing to go? Would you take your family, husband or wife on this struggle for change,  is fear hindering your movement to progress? How would you define your own fear?

Full of life!

In a blink of an eye, time has it's way of making change.  Here are six of  my eight children. They are growing so fast and before you know it. They will be living their own lives.  Wow!  How time does fly.

In their future, I know they will face many road-blocks in life, but as we continue to support and guide them, I am sure they will be alright.  

All Work and No Play

Future planning - I started brainstorming of what do I need to do to get totally back on track with life as I know it today.  I look at all my children, the life I wish to provide for them.  My future wife (Boni),  and how I want to ensure I create and fulfill a wife's desire for comfort living, contentment, and love.

Of course, I already provide myself completely and without doubt, I know she sees it.  I now look at finances.  Hmmm.  I beleive I need to make at least $_00K within the next 9 months to pay off all what I owe and start fresh financilally.  This would ultimately enhance my personal lifestyle with the ones I love and cherish most, my lovable eight...

9 months is the time frame I set for myself... Why 9 months.  I guess I am just setting a goal that I am hoping to reach with hard work, commitment, dedication and more.  Could this be possible. At this point I am looking at every business oppotunity available and will stop at nothing to try and meet my short term goal. Quite lofty if you think about it, but not impossible.

Any business ideas?

Life Experience - Bungee Jumping

Oh My...exhilirating, heart pounding, nervousness, sweat racing down my head.  What was I thinking! Standing 50 meters above ground all suspended by a single bungee cord.  I was atop the structure as shown in the picture below with the guide in my earlier post "still in Bundang".  He says "breathe, is this your first time?" Yes, I replied.  "Ok, take your time, see the coffee house" as he pointed..."When your ready, jump towards that"... I hesitated three times.  Then alas, I said "WTF...I am already here and strapped", I ran and jumped.  As I ran I knew there was no way to turn back, too much velocity to hold my 95K body mass.  What a rush!  leave your worries behind, all is lost but you in mid air for that split second and then whoosh, you feel the cord pull on you to ease your fall and up again.

I'd do it again!  For those of who have experienced bungee jumping, share your experiences. I would like to hear what was going through your mind or what was said out loud.

Is this Real?

Ok Bloggers.  I continue to ponder on this.  The last few post on the "What If's".  I enjoyed Hee Jae Lee's matrix notion, but how about this for a what if... What if there really is a dooms day?  December 21, 2012 as the Mayans calendar states.  

Leave your thoughts on this issue, I want to see your thoughts.

Still in Bundang, Korea

Boni placed a new post of her dinner with the kids at Wol Mi Jung.  Yup great food, great company and always a menu that provides a cure for anyones worst hangovers, thats the Korean culture. Well, I am still in Bundang and had more opportunities to see the growing city.  At almost every apartment compound that I have seen, there is a park that is suited for the neighborhood's dynamics.  Strolling along the sidewalks, you will see vendors making their daily sales with a variety of products being sold, a flea market, but neatly designed to not cause congestion and have people move freely to choose and purchase their likes of any kind.

I was taken to see one of the most popular parks in this area. It is called Yuldong Park. A 4.5 kilometer pathway situated around a lake.  rest stops and restaurants includng a bungee jump facility is in this park.  

Again, I was amazed with its beauty.  Polly, here is a photo I was able to acquire via google, sad but true still no camera with me, but I assure you it looks like this. Wouldn't it be nice to see our Susupe lake transformed into something like this? I know there are plans for its development, but not sure exactly where it stands at this point.

In Bundang, Korea

I am in Korea for the next 6 days.  The hospitality I am receiving from my partners parents is overwhelming. This is my first night as I write this post indicating my surprise of such wonderful people.   

This place, an apartment complex, which I may add is one of the best looking apartments I have ever seen.  A 7-bedroom unit, over 3,000 square foot of space, an immaculate home built for a small family of 4... Wow... so much space, and beautifully designed architecturally.  Now I wished I had my camera. As I arrived at Incheon Airport, it took about 2.5 hours to get to this place called Bundang.  This place is so developed and its size alone is bigger than Saipan.  Over 1 million people reside in this area. Beautifully designed parks, streams running underneath highways, shopping malls conveniently located.. It is said in Korea "Bundang is closest to heaven" for its charm and beauty.  I have to admit, it is a beautiful place.

Update - Most Interesting What If...

What if you were really dreaming about this whole world and you were really in the matrix. What if the economic crisis and the wars are just a glitch in the matrix? These are the thoughts that gets you picked up by a white van and then to the looney bin. Be careful of what you write. Don't you know that we're being watched right now as we blog?

Sent in by Hee-Jae Lee

I have to admit, she got me thinking about that....  Take a look at the other comments from last post.  You be the judge and tell me your favorites.   

What If's....

I'm curios on who could come up with the best and most debateable "what if" question... I was driving around today and looked around and saw a variety of signs along the road, advertisements trying to lure consumer purchases.  Then passing by Shell fuel station looking at their billboard and then Mobil and I asked myself,

"What if these service stations decided to lower gas price to the $1.50 range  as it was about 20 years ago?"  I thought to myself, wow what a significance that would be for the island.  Jet planes will land more frequently, tourist fuel surcharge on their tickets will not be as high or may not even exist, more cars and other vehicles on the road, more gas powered equipment to be seen all over the island, CUC power bills will be so so affordable.. can you imagine?  I am sure I leave out a lot of other reasons, but I just thought to myslef how nice it would be and then reality struck!  Wishful thinking...arghhh...