On Saturday 09/06/08 CUC published a new power outage schedule.
I looked at it and said, whatever, why would the papers run that add?
even the paper's run stories about CUC not following their schedule!
OPEN MOUTH, INSERT FOOT
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Oh what a week!
Today is Saturday, it is also the final weekend of Summer for most school children in the CNMI. All Public School's are scheduled to open on Monday, September 8. I believe school's in the mainland open on Tuesday, Sept. 09. There was a letter to the editor from a mom who was concerned about her kids not having enough sleep the night before school, and she was urging PSS to delay school's another two more weeks, September 16.
You see, September 16 is a magical day. It is the day that CUC should be back on track with their power. This means that Agrekko would have already completed installing the new generators and transferring the power supply to our local power plants. This means that CUC says there should be no more power outages and or power rations after September 16. So, you see September 16 is a magical day. For me, I will just wait and see.
This week was good to me, I have accomplished alot of things both on my personal life and also professionaly. So much paper work that needed to clear off my table are now almost gone! LOL@ almost gone, like my english? ha!
I took my daughter to the clinic on Thurs and she has gained additional weight. I decided to start excercising with her, so this morning we went out for an early morning walk. In order to motivate her, I told her she can bring her puppy with her, and she woke up instantly! We got ready and went for a 45 minute walk. That was nice, ofcourse we got drenched not from sweat but from the rain!
I have to start taking photos again, perhaps on my next blog!
Enjoy the weekend! It is time to get the fire started and start the barbecue!
si, marianne
You see, September 16 is a magical day. It is the day that CUC should be back on track with their power. This means that Agrekko would have already completed installing the new generators and transferring the power supply to our local power plants. This means that CUC says there should be no more power outages and or power rations after September 16. So, you see September 16 is a magical day. For me, I will just wait and see.
This week was good to me, I have accomplished alot of things both on my personal life and also professionaly. So much paper work that needed to clear off my table are now almost gone! LOL@ almost gone, like my english? ha!
I took my daughter to the clinic on Thurs and she has gained additional weight. I decided to start excercising with her, so this morning we went out for an early morning walk. In order to motivate her, I told her she can bring her puppy with her, and she woke up instantly! We got ready and went for a 45 minute walk. That was nice, ofcourse we got drenched not from sweat but from the rain!
I have to start taking photos again, perhaps on my next blog!
Enjoy the weekend! It is time to get the fire started and start the barbecue!
si, marianne
Friday, September 5, 2008
misc
My daugher wrote a letter to the "Owner of CUC" on Saturday. I asked her if she wanted to publish her letter in the local paper's and she agreed. Yesterday, M. Variety featured her editorial, and today the tribune did also. It was completely her writings, unedited. For a 8 year old girl to be so upset about current issues that she took the time out to sit down a write a letter is just amazing. But, like mother like daughter. Only that I have chosen to stay out of the limelight these days. I used to always talk to the media, now, I just stay back and observe from the sidelines.
Fall is just around the corner. I was hoping to take a family trip somewhere this summer, but with kids starting school in August, we just never got to going somewhere. Anywhere.. LOL
My sister sent me several boxes yesterday, it was like Christmas! I was so glad to receive the boxes, it meant so much. Now, I really need to get on my butt and start sending her boxes from here too.. you know, sembe, achote, etc.
Anyway, life should be getting better in Saipan. The power situation is getting a tad bit better. We still have power outages, but they are much more tolerable now, or is it that we are used to it, which has decreased our living expectations and increased our tolerance level.
Have you ever visited the pawn shops lately? OMG, this weekend, Raymond and I decided to go pawn shop hunting, and for whatever reason I was dodging in and out of the car, because I did not really want to be seen getting in and or getting out of a pawn shop. Whatever! We saw some really nice stuff, but they must have been stolen, or their real and true owners, must be down on cash...whatever the case, they are worth visiting.
Hmm.. we had breakfast at the Hyatt Kili yesterday morning. They raised their breakfast price, it is no longer $14 but $20..... perhaps we will now be going elsewhere for breakfast, can't afford a $20 breakfast........ even if Raymond and I get 1/2 off because we have a club at hyatt card, it is still much more than what we were used to..
It has been raining this entire weekend. Must be somewhat good. The rain helps to cool down the concrete houses, which in turn does not make the temperature within the house so hot! It is also good because our water tanks have water, and therefore I got rid of those buckets of reserved water just to flush the toilet.. ha!
The weekend is here, and there is nothing going on this weekend! No parties to attend, no barbecue to go to... I guess that means, yours truly will be firing up the grill herself. LOL
The Public School System will open it's doors to local public schools on Monday. Oh boy, get ready for rush hour traffic!
I miss going to school... I am considering going back to get my doctorate's degree... yeah right! Unless someone can donate $$ for my tuition, otherwise I would be unable to get my doctorate's! Isar' salape! LOL
si, marianne
Fall is just around the corner. I was hoping to take a family trip somewhere this summer, but with kids starting school in August, we just never got to going somewhere. Anywhere.. LOL
My sister sent me several boxes yesterday, it was like Christmas! I was so glad to receive the boxes, it meant so much. Now, I really need to get on my butt and start sending her boxes from here too.. you know, sembe, achote, etc.
Anyway, life should be getting better in Saipan. The power situation is getting a tad bit better. We still have power outages, but they are much more tolerable now, or is it that we are used to it, which has decreased our living expectations and increased our tolerance level.
Have you ever visited the pawn shops lately? OMG, this weekend, Raymond and I decided to go pawn shop hunting, and for whatever reason I was dodging in and out of the car, because I did not really want to be seen getting in and or getting out of a pawn shop. Whatever! We saw some really nice stuff, but they must have been stolen, or their real and true owners, must be down on cash...whatever the case, they are worth visiting.
Hmm.. we had breakfast at the Hyatt Kili yesterday morning. They raised their breakfast price, it is no longer $14 but $20..... perhaps we will now be going elsewhere for breakfast, can't afford a $20 breakfast........ even if Raymond and I get 1/2 off because we have a club at hyatt card, it is still much more than what we were used to..
It has been raining this entire weekend. Must be somewhat good. The rain helps to cool down the concrete houses, which in turn does not make the temperature within the house so hot! It is also good because our water tanks have water, and therefore I got rid of those buckets of reserved water just to flush the toilet.. ha!
The weekend is here, and there is nothing going on this weekend! No parties to attend, no barbecue to go to... I guess that means, yours truly will be firing up the grill herself. LOL
The Public School System will open it's doors to local public schools on Monday. Oh boy, get ready for rush hour traffic!
I miss going to school... I am considering going back to get my doctorate's degree... yeah right! Unless someone can donate $$ for my tuition, otherwise I would be unable to get my doctorate's! Isar' salape! LOL
si, marianne
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
~Simple Things make me HAPPY~
5pm.... WE HAVE POWER
I got home after work, and noticed WE HAD POWER!
I immediately started filling up the buckets in the bathroom with water, and even searched for more buckets arond the house so that we can have an extra reserve water for flushing the toilet!
I did all my other house chores, sweep/mop, wash the dishes, cook rice, etc.
6pm... WE HAVE POWER
I was actually able to watch KSPN2 News LIVE, no streamcasting online was needed, as we had power to turn on the tv!
7pm... WE HAVE POWER
Washed the dishes after dinner, washed the cooking pots, and was surpised we still had power! By this time our power usually gets cut!
I threw in a load of laundry....
8pm...WE HAVE POWER
by this time I was confused...
You see the norm now is no power by this time.
I was confused why we still had power...
9pm.... WE STILL HAVE POWER!!!
I was so confused, I started freaking out....
Like, what is wrong with CUC? Why do we still have power? LOL
I was so glad that I had finished washing three loads of clothes,washed and dried the clothes, if you will.
10pm... We still have power!!
Have you ever been so glad to do laundry? I swear, I was so proud of the laundry that I did!
I even asked Raymond to take a photo of me smiling with the laundry basked full of clean clothes! He just stared at me and said are you kidding? LOL...
The simplest things of life make me happy! Especially having power and running water! OMG!
11:00 pm, WTF?
We laid down to sleep, said our prayers, and then I cmmented to my husband how glad I was that the air conditioners are all on, and that we can lay down, feeling completely clean as the house was clean, the bathroom was clean, the kitchen sink does not have dirty dishes, it felt so good.. I was commenting about the power being still on, and how happy I was!
I swear, I felt like I had hit the lottery bigtime! seriously..
Then...... and only then....kaboom......shwish, swash, and the power dies off!!!!
Oh well, I enjoyed it while it lasted!
I got a good night's sleep, I got the laundry done, I got everything done!
Thank you CUC.......
HA!
si, marianne
Moomin Miura
Have you been to the Moomin Restaurant? It is
in Garapan, located behind DFS/Hard Rock. It is a Japanese Restaurant. I did not really dare go there in the past, but my hubby went their with his friends, and he said it was actually a good place to go eat, so we went there together!
Turns out they have really delicious food, if you like spicy, try the spicy beef soup! OMG, for $6 it is a great deal............ Moomin is known best for it's japanese pancakes, they are savory and more like a lunch or dinner meal! I have yet to try it, but I will soon!
Enjoy!
si, marianne
The NIGHT LIFE...........
Every evening our power gets turned off,
sometimes for two hours,
sometimes four hours,
sometimes shorter
and
sometimes longer!
Sometimes it gets turned on and turned off right away
Sometimes it gets turned off during night and on at day...
Oh Saipan how I miss the old you,
Not the CUC blues..
Oh Saipan, where are you at?
Why are you wearing such an ugly CUC hat?
Oh Saipan what did they do to you, how did your power crisis become so unbearable,
it is so hot at night, it is so intolerable!
Oh Saipan your children are suffering,
school is delayed because of power cost,
didn't you once say that education shouldn't be lost...
or that education should not be in the middle of debate,
on whether the power could be turned on and fully restored by September eight!
to be continued.......
WHAT DO YOU DO DURING A POWER OUTAGE?
We went up to the third floor of my mom's building, set an old comforter down, and layed down to watch the stars and the moon.... It would have been nice if there was some silent moment in there somewhere, but to the left and right of us we here generators!
Saturday Night.......
The NIGHT LIFE...........
Anyway, Kiki was practicing her violin...
Raymond was trying to read a book....... candle light, CUC style
I was unable to take a picture of the stars, but all in all, it was a nice "cool" evening outside! atleast until it started to rain.........
TEEPEED Office
Guess What.... Someone TEEPEED the Governor's Office last weekend... not sure what date, but we were passing by the Governor's Office building on our way to Kagman this past Sunday and my kids noticed toilet paper, TEEPEED all over the office!
It was inbetween hilarious and frustrating.......You see, when we lived at Corvallis, which is home to Oregon State University, TEEPEED front yards of sorority and fraternity houses were the norm! After all, it was a college town! But, what message is being said here when the office of the Chief Executive is teepeed!
I wish they'd donate those rolls of toilet tissue to the Public School System!!HA!
si, marianne
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
CUC Does not want us to cook food for our family... We have no electricity!
CUC Does not want our family to eat, we can't cook... We have no electricity!
So, half the people of Saipan go out and eat at restaurants that have generators!! They have electricity!...
So we use our money to pay for eating out, to pay for gas for the generator.. even our time.. we tend to find ourselves taking it easy when we are at a store that has electricity or at a restaurant, what is the use of rushing home when their is no electricity?
If we do cook, we are stuck with a sink full of dishes, YUCK!
For those that opt with paper plates, or foam plates, think of all the increased waste we are producing....
The worst thing about it all, is the inability to FLUSH the DAMN toilet!!
Or, wait, would the worst thing be trying to drive through a busy intersection, risking your life and that of your passenger's because their is no traffic light? I tell you, driving on our Microl Intersection and the other intersections are highly dangerous, and I the chances of getting into an accident on a state freeway versus our intersections are much higher! Thanks CUC.... no electricty again...
Heck, I'll take cold water, anything as long as we can have WATER!
Talk about the laundry piling up... it used to be because we have no electricity, now it is because we have no water and no electricity!The moral of the story:
Work your ass off just to pay CUC, and to afford to eat out! Also, work your ass off to replace those damaged appliances, as the power surges, and low voltages, plus the constant on and off, of power (for the record, there are more power outages than there are power)...
and PAY NO BILLS.. but CUC!
Ha!
post word doc
Does anyone know how to post a word attachment or a pdf to the blog?
My daughter wrote a letter to CUC, which I would like to share...!
let me know!.... email me: rayrian@aol.com
-marianne
My daughter wrote a letter to CUC, which I would like to share...!
let me know!.... email me: rayrian@aol.com
-marianne
Monday, September 1, 2008
What happened here?
What happened to our sanity and our love of free living? I can't believe that CUC has now taken over my life. Seriously. Not only are the electricity rates extremely ridiculous, but what is happening now is even worse than that. Every day different villages/different feeders go on and off with and without power. Take for instance, Garapan. Our neighbors across the street from us are on a different grid, when they have power, we do not, and when we have power they don't!
Now, I have been trying my best at spending time with the kids, making their homework and class work a priority. Half the time, we sit down and attempt to study the damn power goes out! So we grab our books and head out for some fresh air. But when the hot sun is blowing and their is no breeze blowing our way, we resort to go back into the house. Back in to the hot house, that is. What kid can study when the comfort level in the house is too outstanding to endure.
So, not only have we lost the time to study, we have lost the energy and also lost our sanity!
For the past few weeks the power has been dying at an almost constant rate of atleast under 3 hours. Now adays, there is no telling how long the power will die, and worst of all, there is no telling WHAT TIME the power will die.
As I sit here on this labor day morning, a holiday I am supposed to be enjoying, after all, I along with you all, work our asses off every day of the year just so we can pay our damn bills.....LOL
Anyway, what is going on with our society, and what will the consequences of these power outages? Does every household have buckets full of water for shower, washing the dishes, and most importantly flushing the toilet? All and all, more reasons to pack up from this island and move on. How many of our residents have gone to the mainland for greener pastures? Perhaps some of them are not necessarily after greener pastures, but just after a structured and stablized environment.
As I think about this further, I wonder what happens to the senior citizens who carry around their oxygen tanks, or to the infant babies who constantly cry because it is so hot. I mean, if you don't have power, you don't have a running a/c to keep the house cool and make the baby happy!
Oh my gosh.....when will we ever get out of this? I had to buy gas, and sweat, I mean literally sweat just to get the generator turned on so that I can plug in my modem and router and charge my laptop. Plus, I am sitting in an a/c room thanks to the generator! Now, if only we can get constant water so that we don't have to have buckets in the bathroom that would be great!
Well, what are your power-"less" experiences?
Now, I have been trying my best at spending time with the kids, making their homework and class work a priority. Half the time, we sit down and attempt to study the damn power goes out! So we grab our books and head out for some fresh air. But when the hot sun is blowing and their is no breeze blowing our way, we resort to go back into the house. Back in to the hot house, that is. What kid can study when the comfort level in the house is too outstanding to endure.
So, not only have we lost the time to study, we have lost the energy and also lost our sanity!
For the past few weeks the power has been dying at an almost constant rate of atleast under 3 hours. Now adays, there is no telling how long the power will die, and worst of all, there is no telling WHAT TIME the power will die.
As I sit here on this labor day morning, a holiday I am supposed to be enjoying, after all, I along with you all, work our asses off every day of the year just so we can pay our damn bills.....LOL
Anyway, what is going on with our society, and what will the consequences of these power outages? Does every household have buckets full of water for shower, washing the dishes, and most importantly flushing the toilet? All and all, more reasons to pack up from this island and move on. How many of our residents have gone to the mainland for greener pastures? Perhaps some of them are not necessarily after greener pastures, but just after a structured and stablized environment.
As I think about this further, I wonder what happens to the senior citizens who carry around their oxygen tanks, or to the infant babies who constantly cry because it is so hot. I mean, if you don't have power, you don't have a running a/c to keep the house cool and make the baby happy!
Oh my gosh.....when will we ever get out of this? I had to buy gas, and sweat, I mean literally sweat just to get the generator turned on so that I can plug in my modem and router and charge my laptop. Plus, I am sitting in an a/c room thanks to the generator! Now, if only we can get constant water so that we don't have to have buckets in the bathroom that would be great!
Well, what are your power-"less" experiences?
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Saturday
It is Saturday today! I actually planned on taking the kids to the wax museum today, but never did it, perhaps tomorrow, as my hubby has a day off.......woohoo!
It is a three day weekend, and plus it was payday yesterday! woohoo... Only thing is I am already broke....LOL
Oh well, seems like the days are getting shorter... Christmas is just around the corner. September is Monday, which by the way is also the first Monday of the month, which means there will be mass at the cemetary.
Anyway, Christmas is just around the corner, what are your plans?
Take care all and I will update my blog later~
Anyone selling a laptop? I need two, one for my son and another for my daughter. They do not have to be the best laptops, just as long as they can go on the internet..... Let me know if you know anyone selling a laptop, at a decent price ofcourse.....!
Enjoy the three day weekend all, and be safe!
It is a three day weekend, and plus it was payday yesterday! woohoo... Only thing is I am already broke....LOL
Oh well, seems like the days are getting shorter... Christmas is just around the corner. September is Monday, which by the way is also the first Monday of the month, which means there will be mass at the cemetary.
Anyway, Christmas is just around the corner, what are your plans?
Take care all and I will update my blog later~
Anyone selling a laptop? I need two, one for my son and another for my daughter. They do not have to be the best laptops, just as long as they can go on the internet..... Let me know if you know anyone selling a laptop, at a decent price ofcourse.....!
Enjoy the three day weekend all, and be safe!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Okay, so we are all suffering! Everyone has questions, everyone is frustrated, everyone is pissed!! It is bad, it is terrible! Having to load up buckets of water just so that you have water to shower with should the power go out. Now, as soon as I get home from work, I rush to cook, clean, and make sure the kids have taken a bath.... throw in a load of clothes in the laundry, etc...
Last night, my son was using the internet at a online tutorial site about the human skeleton! Then, the power goes off...... shwip, shwap, no internet again! I started realizing that this power situation is really costing the CNMI Government and our society. Think about it, school is delayed just so that PSS can save money on power! WTF? I understand the rational and the need, and I understand the reasoning and logic for the decision, but I mean, has it come to that bad of a situation? Sacrificing our children's education to save money. Can't we teach like the good old says, without the a/c ? I mean, as long as there is a generator to run the water pumps so that the school will have a sanitary and flushing toilets for the kids! How about if PSS lobbies harder to private entities for donations in return the entities get tax credits! How about if those funds are entered to help pay for the power system?
I mean the school my kids attend sent students home at 1:30pm yesterday, after a 4 hour power outage...............................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~~TIME OUT~~
In my post last week I stated that I brought a confiscated specie to the local veterinarian for a health assesment. As I was heading back to work, I told my son I had to go to work and "Time Out" first, before I could go home and pick them up. He seemed puzzled on the phone, but agreed.
As I pulled up to the parking lot at home, my son asked me "what did I do wr
ong" at work, and why did my boss make me "time out!" For a second there, I could not 
understand him, as my mind was caught in all the chores, but for a while there I thought, his thinking was a bit funny. When I meant time out, I meant time out on the clock, but in his mindset, he thought that my boss had instructed me to time out and face the wall, for doing something bad!! LOL..
ong" at work, and why did my boss make me "time out!" For a second there, I could not 
understand him, as my mind was caught in all the chores, but for a while there I thought, his thinking was a bit funny. When I meant time out, I meant time out on the clock, but in his mindset, he thought that my boss had instructed me to time out and face the wall, for doing something bad!! LOL.. It was the joke of the day..... I thought it was hilarious and cute! Funny how children have a different and innocent (yeah right!) perspective on life! LOL
Gov. Fitial on you tube
So, we have so many issues on island, left to right, from CUC, federalization, minimum wage, border protection/national security, military build up, and then the recent indictments of the second in command of the CNMI, as well as his sister and brother in law. Here is what Gov. Fitial had to say, as broadcased on KSPN news.. this is the entire uncut/unedited version posted on you tube.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
August 21, 08
Lunch for the kids today is not really a work of art. I have downscaled my creativity with my son's lunch as he said his friends will jokingly comment on the small size sushi shaped into bears with a bear happy face..or his egg molded like a fish........ So, to save his macho reputation, I have decided to go normal lunch today.... somewhat..LOL
Today's lunch menu: Steamed white rice, steamed mussel with a shot of soy, small salmon flake onigiri sushi, deep fried crispy chicken, macaroni and cheese and for their drink....kool aid......
si, marianne
Dinner out.....
I have been good... we have eaten at home for both lunch and dinner for atleast 2 weeks straight! This includes breakfast too....usually, there is no time for breakfast on the weekdays, but on the weekends, we eat out.... These past two weeks it has been breakfast, lunch and dinner from home! Oh my, you would be so proud of me........
But then it hit...... the crave to eat tofu seafood hotpot kept creeping up on me... the more I tried to avoid that craving the stronger it got...... so I told my kids to get ready and off we went.....
I
Since school has started this month for my kids, it has been hard to go anywhere at night. They come home from school, and then get ready for yet another lesson, either in private music class or private Japanese language class. Then depending on the day and the class, they might come home at about 6:30pm to about 8:00pm.... then we begin homework session. It is always stressful to try and cook dinner, get the kids showered, help with homework, do some house chores, etc... but hey, I made a good schedule and I have stuck to it. Also, my son, who used to lack confidence in math, is now finishing math home assignments I give him in less than 5 minutes when it usually takes him double that time in the past. His skills are really improving!
But then it hit...... the crave to eat tofu seafood hotpot kept creeping up on me... the more I tried to avoid that craving the stronger it got...... so I told my kids to get ready and off we went.....
I
Since school has started this month for my kids, it has been hard to go anywhere at night. They come home from school, and then get ready for yet another lesson, either in private music class or private Japanese language class. Then depending on the day and the class, they might come home at about 6:30pm to about 8:00pm.... then we begin homework session. It is always stressful to try and cook dinner, get the kids showered, help with homework, do some house chores, etc... but hey, I made a good schedule and I have stuck to it. Also, my son, who used to lack confidence in math, is now finishing math home assignments I give him in less than 5 minutes when it usually takes him double that time in the past. His skills are really improving!
Only time will tell.....
si, marianne
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Visiting the vet
We went to vist Dr. Tudor at the Paradise Animal Health Clinic, on Tuesday Aug 19. Actually, Dr. Tudor was going to assess the health of a "wildlife" specie we confiscated from a person several weeks go. The kids got carried away quickly with the cats they have up for adoption!
So, if you are looking for a friend, visit Dr. Tudor at Paradise Animal Clinic, Middle Road.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Attempt at Obento
Today is Tuesday, Aug 19. It is only my second day making obento for my kids. I have used some of my molds which I ordered from Japan, but they did not turn out very well.
for Me'Mong, I attempted to make a peace sign from my bunny rabit mold. My attempt at creating finger nails were not so great! I am not really the artisic one in the family, that category prize goes to my sister Bobbie. But, here is my attempt at it!
Hopefully, my attempts to make creative, fun and pretty obento will pay off! In the meantime, my kids think they are cute! LOL... Enjoy!
si, marianne
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