My Dad, Ricardo M. Guzman

Today is Fathers Day, not really. On the island of Guam my dad's special day was yesterday, which makes me a day late. Oh well, I'm sure he can forgive his FAVORITE DAUGHTER, for being a day late. Really, dad if you think about it, here in the "mainland" it's Fathers Day too.

So, here is my Salutation to my wonderful Father.

Dear Dad,
You are an absolute wonderful DAD. I remember the wonderful times we shared as a family. Here is what I remember as a ten year old INNOCENT girl.
*The famous Island of Guam power outages ~ we all sat around with the kerosene lanterns and would play spades or twenty one. You would pass your quarters to Roland and me when we ran out, from losing to the older siblings:)

*You bought batteries so we could listen to the radio and during the famous power outages, you taught me how to dance the waltz. "Step on my feet and I'll show you". Every time I find myself doing the Waltz, I think of you daddy.

*One morning after you and mom came home from the flea market you woke Roland and me up with a surprise. A puppy licking our faces. That was such a wonderful gift.

*I remember me, the innocent one, giving my daddy kisses right before I went to sleep.

Dear Dad,
What ever happened to that innocent child who use to give you kisses right before she went to sleep. I wonder. As I got older I know I caused you and mom grief. I wish I could take it all back and be that perfect daughter. Though, through your tough love I am here, doing fine and living well. I am strong because of you.

Dear Dad,
All the memories on the ranch. The corn fields the mango trees and harvesting for dago every weekend was indeed torture to me. Now, as I look back, it was definitely my finest times. Once I moved on my own, I remember having to shop for my own groceries. Dad the prices for banana's, corn all the stuff I wanted to eat, I had to pay for. I was upset because if I was home all I'd do was go outside and pick all the good stuff we had on the ranch. I definitely appreciate everything I am missing back home.
Working for the airlines I would hear people around me "I wish I lived on a Paradise Island". I would always tell people, my yard, my home on Guam is Paradise. Soon I was showing off pictures of your paradise fortress and people would say how lucky I was. Man, they were right. Growing up I always took things for granted and now I appreciate it all. You gave us such a beautiful environment to grow up in, I just wish I appreciated more back then.

Dear Dad,
I know things are hard since you've fell ill. You're not the strong man you use to be. You're not able to walk out into your paradise and work on your flowers like you use to. I know it saddens you but remember to keep your stubborn spirit alive. I miss and love you my dear strict daddy.

P.S.
I know I owe you money, but like I said, Mom owes you more:)

Happy Father's Day to the best Dad there is, YOU!

Your granddaughter Danica has a grandpa salute to you...

New clothes and New hairdo

The air conditioning in my car is just great. Finally, I know what it feels like to stay cool in your own car in this Texas heat. Once again, thank you Mr. Mechanic.

I started the day early. My sunshine Rei and I went to spend some money on some new dresses for her. Then, this mom was due for a haircut. It has been hard to find the time to get it done and who would watch Danica when I got my hair done. I decided on calling Melissa, a friend from Guam, who lives out here in Texas and we both work at the airport. We drove to her house and settled in her monster mommy van and headed off to Wally world. There she was able to take her kids and my only child around the store while I got made up with a new hairdo. I thought of Jennifer from It's a Beauty Filled Life. She should of been sitting next to me. We would of had great chats about our kids and laughed at everything they are going through, the milestones and mischievousness that they may have. She would be here next to me getting her "melancholy mommy hair" taken cared of.
New hairdo, short and sassy, I love it! it's something I have never done...short.

Thank you Mr Mechanic.

June is here and schools are out for the summer. All this means for me(the airline employee) are full flights, many unaccompanied minors and the cat claws coming from every direction, from the customers to co-workers, this will be another long summer.

News on my no air conditioned vehicle...today all this will change.
For about two years I have been driving my car with no air conditioning. Some times I can deal with the heat. After all, I am from the island of Guam, which is 3miles away from the equator. For some reason, there are times when Texas heat does get to me, it can be 100 degrees hot here.
My dear friend from Guam, Bob is replacing my compressor. Thank you Mr. Mechanic. I hope to take long drives around town now. No more
9am - 12pm errands, to beat the high temps. I can now, sleep in, enjoy a soap opera and then head out with my sunshine Rei. Once again, thank you Mr. Mechanic Galarpe.
Summer,of "Loving Each Day" I will be stopping by so our precious little ones can play.

A day trip to Houston

G. L. A. M. O. R. O. U. S...(glamorous) Flying first class up in the sky...
.
My Sunshine Rei and I flew first class to Houston, a whole thirty seven minute flight from our home in San Antonio...not a big deal.

Yes, we sat in first class, the lovely perks of working in the airline industry. My worries, Danica wasn't going to behave well. Surprisingly, she knocked out for the duration of the flight the whole thirty seven minute flight.

Once we landed super mom had Danica in a hip hammock, hanging freely from my hip, a full diaper bag on one shoulder and the car seat in my hand, wish i had taken a picture of myself. Trotting down the terminal to meet our Chauffeur, nephew Mikey, I thought to myself, "what are you doing wearing heels?" We hopped into the car and we were on our way to see the family.

Rehanna was awake to greet us. Danica and Hanna played til Ryland, the littliest terror woke up. That little terror nephew of mine was so aggressive with his cousin Danica. She kept running away from him. It was just so cute.
As we prepared the food for the party the kids played. My sunshine and her cousin, the little terror Ryland played together nicely, when they play together one ends up crying.

Afterwards, they knocked out.



Then, somebody ugly came to check on them. Ugly, is my baby brother Roland. Danica will refer to him as "uncle monster".

Back to the food, my nephew Mikey made some of this...

spicy sushi. Yummy...it was ONO. More at the table, pogogi short ribs, red rice and more. I love Island cooking. It fills me up. Danica loves Chamorro and Asian cuisine. Especially chamorro red rice.

The rain rolled in at the cooks got rained out.

Inside we stayed, to sing happy birthday to Rehanna, and took family photo's.


Our day trip was now coming to an end.






On the aircraft we got a whole row to ourselves...
the three of us each had a seat.
First sunshine Rei had to inspect the aircraft...checking the windows...look at those curls. she made sure her baby Simone Raina(cabbage patch doll) was securely fastened. The three of us each had a seat...Mommy, sunshine Rei and Simone all had a seat.
As you can see, we enjoyed our day, and our flight home. Danica and her baby Simone were well behaved on the plane.

Remember, in the beginning of this post...I wondered why I was wearing heels...My legs are aching the day after. hehe.

To hear Rehanna's Blurbs, read my post following this.
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Rehanna's blurbs and pictures.

mikey is a mush...

Mikey is not her favorite cousin.

singing "happy birthday."

question for Hanna and Mikey is not her favorite cousin.



Hanna's fourth b-day...she's so cute and the funniest things come out of her mouth.
I'm sure the family will laugh. She has a signature pose when it comes to taking pictures....


The little terror Ryland, her baby brother is this short, fat, curly head boy...

who made his big sister cry on her birthday.

Goof ball Family

The past week and have been filled with days at work and nights with my little sunshine, some nights were great and others were indeed tiring. Today was a GREAT day. We started early. I was able to do my errands and still have a HAPPY a little girl in tow.
We enjoyed lunch with nino Roger and uncle Richie. Danica had great time playing with the ball in nino's backyard and she got to watch her nino (god father) be a goofball on the swing. No pictures taken only because my camera was not charged. Uncle Richie took about two pictures and his camera went dead. Oh well, I'm sure she will have another photo day with them soon.
Daddy was at home waiting on us, once she saw him, she lit up. Her and daddy were being goof balls. We just spent the day with nino goof ball and now we were at home with daddy the goof ball...too many goof balls in one day. I love them both so, it's okay. The more goof balls, the merrier. Back to daddy, the goof ball...he and danica were having too much fun...


this is my family...daddy, the big goof ball and sunshine Danica Rei, my little goof ball, and yes I truly love my goof ball family. By the way, they're wearing shorts on their heads.
We headed to Chuckee Cheese...Rei and Chuckee had a dance off. You be the judge but, I know Rei kicked butt. She showed Chuckee she could dance.

and she played too.
Now it was time to go home...and here is she once she settled in....
sound asleep from such a busy day.
The other night, I was able to capture this on video. I thought it was too cute.

oh, and this picture... Looks just like her daddy.

Wonderful Wednesday May 13th, 2009

It all started with my Sunshine Rei and I waking early in the morning, 6:58am~too early. Danica Rei was all but smiles and laughter, Sunshine Rei. On my days off we just sit in bed for just a while and watch her cartoons, Imagination Movers and The Wiggles. We snuggled and I was able to kiss on her neck.
She had a doctors appointment today. She's been dealing with this sensitive spot on her chin. Teething, has her drooling and the moisture just make that cute chin of hers raw. It got infected so she has to be on antibiotics and a steroid cream. Hopefully, this will all pass.
Today is her daddy's birthday. No pictures and no celebration. Just awful. We are saving the celebration for the weekend. I sang happy birthday to her daddy, and she clapped along saying Daddy, daddy, daddy.
In all it has been a wonderful Wednesday.
Tomorrow it's back to routine, another long week ahead of us. I remember when I used to take long showers. I remember when I used to sleep in or go to bed late. No routine whatsoever, Now things have to be done in routine....timing is everything now. Life has changed and I must say, I love the fact that it has. I walk around with a bundle of joy trailing right behind me, or most time attached to my hip.She is my Sunshine Rei (ray).