Guess Where We Are & What We're Doing

Ready? Go!Okay, give up? Alright. We're getting a preview of the mini movie that Angelo put together to be shown at our dinner-fundraiser commemorating Beautify CNMI!'s one-year anniversary.

As to where this picture was taken -- we're beside the road leading up to Mt. Tapotchao. Our Friends of the Mariana Islands (FMI) partners pitched a tent which will serve as Beautify CNMI!'s "home base" for tomorrow's Mt. Tapotchao cleanup. Gus, Angelo, my nephew AJ and I went up to Mt. Tapotchao to deliver trash bags and gloves to Marites Castillo, President of FMI, and the members for tomorrow's clean up. I understand that Mt. Tapotchao was littered with trash following the trek up the Mountain last year, so Beautify CNMI! has decided to do something about it this year. (A year ago today or tomorrow, Beautify CNMI! didn't exist yet, but April 26, 2006 was the first day our founding group met and I shared my "Beautify CNMI! vision" with everyone.

Good Friday is a big religious holiday for Catholics here in the CNMI and everywhere. On Saipan, people flock to Mt. Tapotchao to walk up the Mountain while many men carry the heavy cross all the way up to the top much like Jesus carried the cross on his way to his crucifixion. Angelo wants to carry the cross again this year as he did last year. If you want to see him carrying the cross last year, get a hold of the calendar issued by the church and you'll see him.

Meanwhile, I learned that our FMI partners also volunteered last year and passed out water and mini breakfasts. I will be joining them in doing that this year.

We plan to leave the house early tomorrow morning to pick up Angelo and beat the traffic up the Mountain. I hope I don't miss the alarm clock. zzzzzzzzz

Breakfast At Shirley's!

Beautify CNMI! volunteers enjoying breakfast at Shirley's in Garapan

Following our fun and successful clean-up of Mt. Tapotchao, the crew met up with Captain Carl to plant some coconut trees along Beach Road (replacing the ones we planted last year that washed out to sea). Then, we decided all that work made us hungry, so we headed to Shirley's. Shirley's is one of my favorite restaurants to eat here on Saipan. They're originally from Guam and are a welcome addition. If you're hungry for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, cruise by Shirley's for some great food. If you're out partying with friends and want to eat before heading home, Shirley's is the place to go. There's a wide variety of food and they're reasonably priced. To top it off, they have wonderful, friendly staff waiting to serve you!