Small Business Ideas on Saipan

G and I were just talking about how we wish we would have seen Saipan at its peak in tourism and in the economy.  We are hoping and praying that Saipan's economy picks up for everyone's sake.  Let's face it, austerity Fridays suck.

Well it looks like there may be a some hope.   BOH is accepting grant applications for small businesses on Saipan.  I would apply but I don't have a proven track record or management experience in owning a small business. Still I keep wondering what type of business would thrive out here.  It's sad to see so many empty commercial buildings and shops along Beach and Middle road.

 I was thinking about what type of small business I would open if I got approved! I have two lists. One list is what I think Saipan really needs and the second list is my wish list for Saipan.

What I think Saipan needs:

1. A top notch birthing center like the one in Guam called Sagua Managa.  Come on! Wouldn't you rather give birth in a more comfortable environment rather than CHC or any other hospital? I would have if I had a low risk pregnancy.  At Sagua Managa you can Facetime or Skpe with family and friends on their free wireless network after you give birth.  
2. A farm that produces organic fruits and vegetables much like this one called  Pie Ranch.   I would also incorporate an educational program with the schools that would teach kids  the importance of sustainable farming and food system education.  Plus I would have a cool barn that you could have community functions at.
3. A Japanese Cultural Center and Tea house-Saipan has a lot of Japanese memorials and relics from the war so why wouldn't we have a Japanese cultural center here to?  Plus a Japanese Tea house could feature tea ceremonies.  G and I went to a traditional tea ceremony in San Francisco and it was awesome!   I think the tourists would enjoy it and so would the locals.

What I wish Saipan had:

1. Blue Bottle Coffee - Java Joes is my favorite coffee shop in Saipan but I am really missing my lattes from Blue Bottle Coffee in San Francisco.  Luckily they just opened a web store online.
2. Jamba Juice-Saipan has something called Pearl Shakes that are made of ice and a flavored powder.   They're okay once in awhile but I want something healthier and fresher. Plus who knows what type of preservatives or icky food dyes are in those powders anyway.
3. Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt or a Yogurtland -Saipan has the Scoops and the Big Dipper Ice Cream shops but again I think Saipan needs a healthier alternative.
4. A Mexican Restaurant. Man I miss Mexican food. Enough said.  

Anyway, that is all I could think of at this moment. Let me know what business you would open in Saipan if you were approved a grant from BOH.

Yoga Mama

(photo credit yogapose.com)

I'm still getting used to the fact that I'm going to be a mom this coming July!  It still hasn't quite hit me yet except that I'm starting to show a little baby bump.   I just entered my 2nd trimester (14 weeks) and so far I'm feeling great.  My friend, Crystal, who is 30 weeks along invited me to her prenatal yoga class held at Brilliant Star School last night and I loved it!  I'm thinking I'll try anything to help the delivery go a little smoother since there are NO epiderals given during child birth in Saipan.  Yup, should be interesting! lol 

A Sort of Homecoming

G and I are back on island and were welcomed at the airport with some familiar faces!   It feels great to be back home!

Adieu Saipan

I’m terrible at goodbyes.

Amy, what would I have done without you?!

So I’ll keep this short and tell you how you guys were the BEST part of my every day. Thank you for your friendship and the memories. I’ll never forget the laughter and happiness you brought to my life. Here are a couple pictures of my last week in Saipan.

My Saipan Family

My scuba buddy, Harry! Thanks for coming to the airport to see me off.

The SDA Dental Clinic had a farewell party for me. A favorite patient baked me a yummy Apple Coffee Crumb cake!


My daily sunshine at work! I'll miss Mark and Tammy James. Thank you for throwing me a farewell party at your house! I will also miss Aunt Judy and Uncle Dennis for teaching me how to scuba dive. You introduced a whole new world to me and now I'm ADDICTED!

Ken and Crystal gave me a beautiful lei from Chuk! I have had the time of my life and I'm so glad I got to spend it with them. They were my spiritual mentors in Saipan and have encouraged me to follow my passion and dreams. I'll miss you guys!

My good friends, John Dax and Mai. Always there to listen to me Rant about everything! There's Noah squeezing his cute face in the pic.

Lunch at 360 with Angelo. Thanks for the laughs!

If you have ever read the book Eat Pray Love you’ll understand me when I say that living and working in Saipan was my “India” experience. I came to Saipan on a quest for personal and spiritual growth and left with so much more. This journey changed my life. My heart has awakened and my soul is at ease.

This picture pretty much describes my experience in Saipan: A blast!

My beautiful friends.

And now I’m ready to grab life by its two horns. I hope you will continue to enjoy the ride with me. I’ll keep the same blog address but there will be some changes in the next couple of weeks. I’m still trying to come up with a new title. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Scott and Atsuko Eck baked me this yummy choco brownie cake! Thank you!

What’s Bubbles’ next adventure? Scuba diving and searching for Whale Sharks in Belize this June! Greg found this one just recently in Belize. I hope they come out when I get there. Stay tuned Neh !!!=)

Whale Sharkey! Picture taken by Greg Moretti.

Blogger Meet up

Angelo mentioned another blogger meet up. It will be on April 30 (Wed) at the 360 restaurant at 5pm. I'll be a little late, but I'll be there. So go go go! It'll be my last meet up since I'm leaving in May. Hope to see you there=)

Awkward moment

awkward = uncomfortable or abnormal. It all started when I went to get a massage in Garapan with Crystal.

Most of the time I'm really anal about who I get my massage from and where I go. I almost never change because the times that I do I always regret it. I usually go to a girl named Tre at the Summer Holiday inn. She's amazing. Today was a little different. I felt like being adventurous and looking for a new spot to hang out at..

At first glance this spa reminded me of Bali. Its got dark flooring, stone textured walls, and beautiful furniture. The girl that gave me my massage was really good but after I got up I noticed that my eyes felt funny. I realize that my eyes are swollen almost shut. I looked like Wil Smith in the movie Hitch! lol

I must of been allergic to the oil that she was using. I tried to ask the girl what was in the ingredients of the oil but she couldn't understand English. She just stood there and looked at me as I tried to tell her that my eyes aren't normal. There was an awkward moment of silence. She didn't understand so I just paid my $25 fee for an hour massage and headed out to get some medicine.

Well, two Benadryl tablets later and my eyes are starting to go back to its normal size. Note to self: bring my own oil for the massage and no contact in the face area. Grrr.

My 8 Favorite Eats in Saipan

Looking over my budget I notice that most of my money is spent on food! I love food. Food makes me really happy! Sometimes I enjoy food with company but most of the time you will find me eating out solo w/ a good read. Yes, I'm a loner. lol I guess you can say that I'm not shy about enjoying a nice dinner alone whether it is in a nice restaurant or low key eatery.

Anyaqq tagged me to list 8 facts about me. I am going to modify this meme since I've already done that here and list 8 of my favorite eats on Saipan. I've been wanting to do this for awhile now. So here goes in no particular order.

1. Spicy Thai- I am a big fan of Thai food especially if its EXTRA spicy! On the menu I recommend the Pad Thai with Tofu, Vegetable egg rolls, and Thai Iced tea w/ Milk. The service is usually fast and friendly.

2. Remington Cafe- I go here sometimes for lunch. I try and stick to my Vegetarian diet as much as possible but sometimes its hard. Before I came to Saipan I was a Vegetarian for nine years. Since I arrived in Saipan sixteen months ago I started eating fish and then chicken. Now I just believe that everything in moderation is okay. On the menu here I recommend the Chicken Katsu meal with Iced Coffee. The iced coffee has coffee ice cubes in it! I love the Japanese people that work there. Every time I go in there I add a new Japanese phrase or word in my vocabulary. The decor in this cafe has a modern feel to it.

3. The Bean Cafe- I'm a morning person so my favorite meal of the day is breakfast. One day I am going to throw a party and have everyone bring their favorite breakfast food. My favorite thing to eat on the menu here is the French Toast accompanied with an Iced Hazelnut coffee. Crystal and I used to have breakfast here after our long bike rides on Sundays. I love feel of this small jazzy coffee shop. I also love that no one smokes in there and that they have wireless connection.













4. Taste of India- I never really liked Indian food before until I tasted a dish called Alogobi. Its got eggplant and potatoes cooked in a curry. It's absolutely delicious. Try also the Vegetable Samosa, and Bhatura Bread. The drink that I am hooked on is the Masala tea.

5. Capricciosa-I know that this Italian restaurant is kind of expensive but there is one dish that keeps me coming back. It's the Cream of Tomato Mushroom Spaghetti dish with fresh Parmesan cheese on top.

6. Len- This little restaurant makes me feel like I'm back in Tokyo. I just love the way this restaurant was designed. You'll have to keep your eyes peeled out because if you are not familiar with the location you can easily pass it. On the menu I recommend the hot pot! It comes with chicken, tofu, and all kinds vegetables that you cook right in front of you. The garlic chicken is tasty!













7. Grotto 2298- If you are a diver you will love this little restaurant! The owner is a diver and has decorated his walls with beautiful underwater pictures. On the menu try the Sweet and Sour Eggplant, Tuna Sashimi and Avocado, Japanese Spaghetti, and Fried Garlic.









8. Oleai's Bar and Grill Restaurant-Two words: dollar tacos. This place has become a favorite to us for lunch after our morning dive on Sundays. I usually get a couple of veggie tacos and an ice tea. Oleai's is located right on the water's edge so you've got a great view of the lagoon during lunch. I love it here.

I just ordered a couple of books on amazon. One of them is My Last Supper: 50 Great Chefs and their Final Meals. I thought it would be a fun and interesting read. So I leave you with this question: If you were to die tomorrow, what single dish or what one mouthful of food, would you choose as your last?"

Humm, I'd have to go with Italian food. The Cream of Tomato Mushroom Spaghetti dish would be my last dish!

Green Flash: Myth or Fact?

Tonight Amy, Ken, Crystal and I did the tank swim after work. It was low tide and we were almost swimming on our bellies! After our swim we watched the beautiful sunset and kept our eyes peeled for the infamous "green flash"! I saw it tonight! Woo hoo! It does exist! Has anyone seen it?

The green flash is from the Sun. Just as the setting Sun disappears completely from view, a last glimmer appears startlingly green for just a few seconds. It's rare so you are lucky if you see it! Just one of Saipan's simple joys.

Next time your out on a sunset walk on Saipan's beaches check for the green flash=) Here's a sample picture of what it may look like.

XTERRA Race Anxiety

The XTERRA Race is this Saturday! Guess what! I'm not doing it! What?! I'm having cold feet! I know, I'm all talk. Hey, I don't see your bum out there either except for amazing Lewie . I have been training for this race but I seriously don't feel ready. I'm too slow!

I think I should start with the enticer tri races or smaller races first instead of jumping into a big one. I need to build my confidence. Everyone says just to do it. Who cares if you are the last one but I am having anxiety. I wonder if this feeling is normal before a big race. I'm nervous! blah.

Some people crave competition and the adrenaline rush. They are my heros!

All Look The Same?

I hear about racism all the time. Its all over the news. Last week I read a report on how four white students in South Africa at a university made a video of black housekeepers being mocked and also served them stew laced with urine. I was just disgusted but mostly saddened by how cruel some people can be.

This situation made me think back and remember a time when I had to deal with racism. I was visiting Toronto, Canada with my friend, Maria, just weeks before I came out to Saipan. I was walking around town minding my own business and stopped to admire the view of the CN tower. Out from no where a Caucasian Male comes up to my face and says that "all Chinese people should die". That "we don't have any business being here". That we are "filthy". It happened so fast. He just laughed and walked off. I was left there stunned and tongue tied. I look back and sometimes think about what I should of said as a come back. One of them was "I'm not Chinese you idiot!" j/k I'm kind of glad I didn't say anything to him. Whatever. I'll have to forgive him and his ignorance.

Saipan is a melting pot of different cultures. The cultures range from Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, Thai, Indonesian, Chamorro, Korean, Japanese,and more. Since living on Saipan I have learned more about each culture and its values. We're all very different in amazing ways. I think I've even come to recognize which asian is which. Most people say that we "all look the same". Click here to take my test and see how well you do at identifying the different asian races. Tell me your score on a comment. I want to know how you did. I got 10 out of 18.

Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Finals

Kim and I made it to the finals on Sunday. Our first game of the day was against pro-volleyball players, Fedarica and Dawn, from Hawaii. We got spanked again 8 to 21. Even though we lost I had a great time playing with them. They're really amazing to watch. What I love about them is they communicate and work well as a team. Also, whenever we made a good play they always said encouraging things. I was really cheering them on to win in the finals against the players from Japan.

Here's a picture of EJ, Feda(right) and Dawn(left)


Dawn and Fedarica battling the ladies from Japan. This game was so intense. Each team brought their game. Here's a picture of Dawn hitting.







Even though the Japanese players were shorter than the other team they still could get up just as high! This was a great play! This Japanese player spiked the ball and it hit Dawn's hands popping it back deep over the other side right over the other players! The crowd was going crazy. They're both such smart players.





This picture was game point. The Japanese player hit through the block by Dawn and the game was over! Dag nab it! The ladies from Japan won. It was such a great game!










Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Women Champions 2008 from Japan. Saipan always flys back the winners to play in next year's tournament. They also get $3600 in cash for winning.




















Last years Champions battle it out with Randy Steele and Paul Baxter






























Saipan blogger, Randy Steele and Paul Baxter Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Champions 2008 Congratulations to Randy! He kept up with this Pro-Volleyball player, Paul Baxter.







I took a picture with the number one AVP volleyball player in the world! Phil Dalhausseris six foot seven inches tall! Check out his vertical and jump serves!





Game on with Chris Nelson and Phil jump serving.

Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball: Day 1

The 16th annual Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball started today! What a great turn out this year. There were about twenty-five Mens teams and twenty womens teams. Our first game in the morning we played against two ladies from Japan. Man, we got spanked! They were amazing. I won't even repeat the score.

My team mate was Kim Hutchinson. Our stats for the day was two wins and two losses. Not too bad, eh? We fortunately get to advance to the finals on Sunday. Just wanted to share a couple of pictures from today. Here's a picture above of Gin and Linda getting ready to receive a serve. It rained off and on today but it was still a beautiful day.



A couple of women pro-volleyball players came out from Southern California to play. They are such awesome players. Here's a picture of Pro-volleyball player, Jen Synder, battling it out with Aubrey and Lisa from Guam. Aubrey and Lisa from Guam are short but can catch air and pound that ball. The final games are going to be very intense. I can't wait to see who wins.












One thing I love about tournaments is that you get to meet new people. Some girls come all the way from Japan and Guam to come play in the Mariana's cup. Here are some new friends I made, Jessica and Tara, from Guam.

(sigh) I'm so tired! Tune in on Sunday for the final results! Come down to the Pacific Islands Club resort to watch our games!

Support Live Theater in Saipan

Real Christian Theater will be putting on a dinner show called The Mystery of the Kiss Kiss Diamond. It will be a one time performance on Sunday, March 9. The time will be announced later. The tickets are $15 for adults. The kids have been working really hard to make this play come together. Currently we are trying to raise funds for our school trip to Palau in May. We will be performing a lot of skits for the local schools in Palau in hopes of sharing our love for drama and for God. Please come out to support us!









I watched the play "In Transit" and the "Vagina Monologues" by the Voices of the Marianas last year and it was hilarious! I'm guessing that this play will be just as good! Check them out. Bloggers, Jeff and Brad, have parts in this play.
You won't want to miss this!

Dive Snapshots from President's Day Weekend

So I kicked off my 4 day weekend with an afternoon dive with Harry at the Grotto. Funny how it doesn't take much convincing for Harry to get wet. He got a new camera and has been dying to test it out.





The grotto is probably my most favorite dive spot in Saipan. Its just so unique and I feel like I'm in heaven going through the exit holes.






The visibility was unbelievable! Probably about 50 meters across the way. We spotted a huge Napolean Wrasse much like the one that was recently caught. He didn't wait too long for us to catch up with him because he just took off! Here's a picture of Harry below me taking pictures of this turtle. Check out his blog for beautiful close up pictures.







Here's a creature that I am definitely intrigued by but too scared to get too close. The Spotted Morey Eel has really sharp teeth and I just don't want get in its face.







I was actually really surprised to see this Parrotfish. It's either a Bumphead Parrotfish or a Steephead Parrotfish. If someone knows . . . let me know!







I'm so happy that I get to share my love for scuba diving with so many people in Saipan. There is always someone to go diving with on the weekends. This afternoon Sean, Mai, Jessica, Rikki, Mark and Tammy James, Dr. Hunt, Atsuko, and I rode the Aqua Jet out to two dive sites.


This was the SDA Teacher's first dive boat experience in Saipan and they did really well! Of course they had great instructor, Judy and Dennis. Here's a picture of Sean, Riki, and Jessica Crusin' into the deep blue.






I'm going to be dreaming of Pyramid Butterfly fish tonight! Plenty in the water. Mai is surrounded by them!















You know what we were all hoping to see-Eagle Rays! And we did! Five of them! We sat perched ontop of the Ice Cream Dive site and watched the Eagle Rays come swoop into the cleaning station. They were soo close to me! It was amazing! I think one of them winked at me!





















This Hawksbill Turtle dropped right in front of us and I didn't even notice him at first until Atsuko pointed him out. I was looking for Nudibranchs and realized he was dropping right in front of me!




I found Nemo! Here's a Duske Anemone Fish.











Here's a picture of an Orange Fin Anemone Fish