nella bella!

I'd like to meet:

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

MUSIC: No Doubt. K's Choice. Aerosmith. Goo Goo Dolls. Sarah McLachlan. the Cranberries. Save Ferris. Weezer. the Cure. Incubus. Evanescence. Reel Big Fish. Michelle Branch. Sunny Day Real Estate. Kelly Clarkson. Dashboard Confessionals. DeathCab for a Cutie. NOFX. BEP RX Bandits. Jem. Damien Rice. Amy Winehouse.

MY HEROES: My brother- He's the best big brother a girl could ask for! My Mom & Dad - you'll wish they were your parents! My friends-God knows they've saved me from myself!

I MISS: the fam in the Philippines. the Dick Clique.the old GATE Theatre days.
Baked Fridays... and when Casa was cool. the old Magnificat choir days. And our mascot, Magnifi-CAT.

♥to know me is to heart me ♥

this is my home. please don't treat it like a dump.

I've been living on Guam for over 10 years. I've spent more years living here than I did in the Philippines, where my family came from. I'm not going to lie and say that I adapted to the way of life here quickly, but through out the adjustment period, I always kept in mind one thing: I am a visitor in other people's homes, I must respect them. The sooner I understood that, the sooner I began to feel like I belonged here. Guam became a part of me as a child and it has shaped how I've grown up. I'm glad to grow up here.

So here I am, in total awe and appreciation of my Guamanian upbringing, loving that I can jump into my car and be where I want to be in twenty minutes, and comforted by the idea that anywhere I go, I will know someone. I love that the beach is always near me, and I'm glad that there's always a party any time of the year, although I may complain that all this eating has made me gain weight. Really, I can't even begin to express how much I love it here.

My childhood eutopia may seem like it is unchanged by time, but it has. Guam is changing. More people have been making homes on this island, and I welcome them just as I have been welcomed here, but it's been difficult. It's sad to think that there are people living on this island who hate living here, while I can not imagine life not living here. It really hurts to experience prejudice in a place I call home, by people who have not even given the place or its people a chance. We are not uncivilized or uncultured. Look around you, culture is what fuels this island. Yes, we are protective of this island, but wouldn't you try to protect something that you treasure?

I become more afraid with each passing day. I'm afraid that I my quiet evenings with friends while be ruined by people with no other intentions than to disrespect. I'm afraid that my days will be filled with people who ignorantly and arrogantly practice their right to free speech.

I am a Filipina raised on Guam. I am proud of that because not only am I a Filipina, I am a Guamanian, and I am an American. I have every right to be here, because I love this island and I respect the people here. So please, do the same. This is our home, and it could be your home too, if you respect it. You will be welcomed here, just as I have and just as many others have, as long as you respect it.

FRIENDS:

and more cool peeps.. .