Coffee Shop Girl

I visited Dr. JP at his desk one morning about two months ago and I literally gasped with surprise seeing the new issue of American Scientist on his desk. You see I recently picked up that same March-April 2008 issue because of an article titled The Rise of Coffee by entomologist Fernando E. Vega. Apparently, JP and I share an interest in both coffee and scientifically technical rags. It was a good sign.
You see, you can only have admiration for this man, and I count myself very lucky to be his friend. He is a respected epidemiologist to people in the health profession all over the world. He has seen the rise and fall of epidemics, and has personally affected people’s lives with the preventive medicine that is his life endeavor. He is definitely someone I try to emulate not just professionally but due to the numerous talks that we’ve had, I also somewhat wish that I followed similarly in the footsteps of his personal life. Sure, he is not an infallible person, nor are his relationships perfect. But what JP is to me though (and to many others) answers the age old question of, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer being, “I want to be a good man.”

JP and I also share interests in art, photography, beauty, nature, hiking, malacology, and even mycology (we take pictures of fungi), but I know personality wise we are different. Maybe my admiration for him is due to his similarities to my own father. They are the strong silent cerebral types, the old-school (forgive me) man’s man of previous generations that are solid in who they are and what they believe. In fact, when JP told me one day that his relationship with his son is better now that he is an adult, it reminded me of how my father and I have the same rapport now that I am much older. So, I seek his company whenever I can so that I can somehow through osmosis take a bit from his character, but most definitely partake of his wisdom and knowledge about life and love in the absence of my own father’s presence.

So, we got to talking about coffee and how we both appreciated a good strong brew, drinking it black in order to actually taste the quality of the beans. Just as in so many of our talks, I always somehow interject questions about women and relationships to hear what JP has to say backed with all of his wisdom, history and first-hand knowledge. No, actually this time was different as I said, “I just met an amazing woman, and guess what? She drinks her coffee black too!” A woman who appreciates the taste of pure coffee, he says to me, “Man, you better hold on to that one!” I smiled. My heart smiled too at the many possibilities at that time, yet some doubts and questions entered my mind. I finally had to ask, “JP, I really like her. How do I hold on to this one? ” He smiled wide and shrugged, “I don’t know. I’ve already found my coffee drinker. And when I did, I held on to her.” I chuckled and thoughts of JP and his wonderful wife, Frances drinking coffee together each morning into their midlives entered my mind. Smiling, I was left wanting for that same connection with someone one day.

This one is for you JP and Fran, and even though things did not go further for you and me, my Coffee Shop Girl, I will always cherish all you gave and our time together.
Coffee Shop
By Landon Pigg

I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for you.
Yes there's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you.
I've seen the paths that your eyes wander down,
I want to come too.

I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for you
No one understands me, quite like you do,
Through all of the shadowy corners of me.

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much.
All of the while, I never knew.
I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much.
All of the while, I never knew.

I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for you.
Yes there's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you.
I've seen the waters that make your eyes shine,
Now I'm shining too.

Because, oh because,
I've fallen quite hard over you.

If I didn't know you, I'd rather not know.
If I couldn't have you, I'd rather be alone.

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much.
All of the while, I never knew.
I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much.
All of the while, I never knew.

All of the while, all of the while,
And it's you.

The Beachcomber

Beachcomber Karaoke: A Sad Ballad

Estoy Tocando Fondo by Kalimba

Pasa la angustia tan cerca de mi
Cuando de aqui te alejas
Sé que el insomnio sigue por ahi
Esperando que intente dormir

Me he quedado solo
Y asi no planeaba vivir
Me he quedado solo
Y sin ti, es tan facil volver se loco

Estoy tocando fondo
Me niego a estar sin ti
Te tengo que recuperar
O de una vez dejarte ir

Estoy tocando fondo
Me duele hablar de ti
No quiero disimular
El resto de mi vida

Vuelve la angustia a hablarme de ti
Cuando de aqui te alejas
Sé que el insomnio sigue por ahi
Esperando a que intente dormer

Me he quedado solo
Y asi no planeaba vivir
Me he quedado solo
Y sin ti, es tan facil volver se loco

Estoy tocando fondo
Me niego a estar sin ti
Te tengo que recuperar
O de una vez dejarte ir

Estoy tocando fondo
Me duele hablar de ti
No quiero disimular
El resto de mi vida

No me importas mas... uhh no no no....

Estoy tocando fondo
Me niego a estar sin ti
Te tengo que recuperar(Te tengo que recuperar)
O de una vez dejarte ir (O de una vez dejarte ir)

Estoy tocando fondo
Me duele hablar de ti
No quiero disimular
El resto de mi vida... Oh whoa...

What an exquisitely sad song. Sing along with me! For there is no misery without company in Beachcomber Karaoke! Tee hee!

The Beachcomber

P.S. I'm not sad by the way. I just like sad songs. Ok, fine. Maybe just a little.

Bring My Heart to the Sea

I usually can't pass up an opportunity to go on a hike nor a chance to show off Saipan to our visitors. So when Chrissie, Devon and Lindsey asked me if I could give them directions to Forbidden Island, I had to ask, “Who, when and what time are you going?” The ladies are visiting our islands for a few weeks working with the local health department as part of their Master’s and Doctorate Programs.

Chrissie, Devon and Lindsey at the top of the hike.

Their schedule worked for me since I usually immerse myself in nature on Saturday’s after church anyway and it matched their request to venture out when the sun wasn’t so intense. It turned out to be an overcast day too which spared us a couple of digits temperature wise.

A view of the fringing reef.

The islet known by the name Forbidden.

Not only is Forbidden Island a scary name, but this sign gives a clear warning why care needs to be taken at this site. I always advise visitors to go with a guide that is familiar with the place. This area is full of Scaevola sericea, shrubs commonly known as Half-flowers.

The hidden pool.

The tide was very low even inside the hidden pool. We were actually able to stand on the bottom of the pool because it was so low! Luckily, the swimming area at the end of the beach was calm and deep enough for us to enjoy. We jumped in, cooled off, saw a few crabs and Abudefdufs (Sargeant major damselfish), and traded stories on stonefish.

Chrissie is Hawaiian and spent some in the Marshall Islands last year teaching. We shared some Hawaiian plant lore and I will share with you now one of my favorites, the famous story of:

The Naupaka

In the time of the ancients, there was a beautiful Hawaiian princess named, Naupaka. The villagers started noticing that their princess was often very sad. They approached her parents, who then asked Naupaka why she was troubled."

I have fallen in love with Kaui," the princess said. "But Kaui is not of noble birth. He is a fisherman; a commoner." In Hawaiian tradition, it was strictly forbidden for those of royal lineage to marry a commoner. Hearing this broke her parents’ hearts.

Together, Naupaka and Kaui climbed up a high mountain to see a wise kahuna (chief) to seek his advice. The wise kahuna lived in a heiau (temple) on top of the mountain but his wisdom failed him this time as there was no clear answer for the young lovers. His only advice for them was for them to offer prayers at the heiau.

As the young lovers prayed, rain began to fall reflecting the sorrow that was in their hearts. They knew the answer then. It seemed that their gods will never allow them to be together. Broken hearted, Naupaka and Kaui embraced for the last time to say good bye. Naupaka took a flower from her ear and tore it in half and gave the other half to Kaui. Naupaka said, “I will leave you here in the mountains, while I go back to our people by the sea."

Soon curious plants started growing in the mountains. When the plants finally started to bloom, they only put forth half flowers. Even more curious, similar plants that also bloomed in only half flowers also started growing by the sea.

Beach Naupaka

The Hawaiian people named these flowers Naupaka after their princess who was banished to the sea forever separated from her lover who was banished to the mountains. It is said that to bring together a Mountain Naupaka and a Beach Naupaka is to reunite the two lovers.

Aside from this version of the legend, the Beach Naupaka (Scaevola sericea) also known as Naupaka Kahakai (literally Naupaka by the sea), is one of the most common beach plants in tropical and subtropical Pacific and Indian Ocean coasts. In Chamorro, it is called Nanaso. The shrubs typically have large leaves. Their small half flowers are white with purplish streaks and bloom in clusters. The fruits are white and the juice can be squeezed into the eyes to relieve soreness. The young leaves are cooked and eaten in India as a vegetable.

Mountain Naupaka

In Hawaii, there are nine different species of Naupaka, and six of them are endemic and only found there. The Naupaka Kaahiwi or Mountain Naupaka is one of them. I've been told that it differs from the Beach Naupaka in that it has a mild sweet fragrance which the beach Naupaka lacks. Its leaves are also pointed and serrated.

To me, the legend of the Naupaka is a reminder that sometimes, to be with the one that you love is just as difficult as uniting the mountain with the sea. Or at times, love may never bloom completely.

Ti napu,

The Beachcomber

(I didn't have my camera with me that day so thank you Chrissie for you and the girls' photos! Also I need to give photo credits for the Mountain Naupaka to Forest & Kim Starr (USGS) and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for the Beach Naupaka).

Musings

So, I missed sharing in your last dive, which meant...I sat alone at home for two hours...
... then at Shirley's for another three, which culminated into five hours

spent away from you. In two more days, I'll have a lot more of

those kinds of hours.

I sat almost meditative studying each centimeter, every texture,

eyelash and hair strand,translating them to form, shape, shade,

light and shadow.

I've caressed your visage with more than a thousand pencil strokes and yet... It will never do you justice.Galatea, my muse, should I envy Pygmalion?

Beauty plus Talent

My beautiful friends are slowly making their exit from their short time teaching here on Saipan to go back to their homes stateside and back to school. Riki shortly followed Bev’s departure and I am finding myself struggling not to feel panicked or even be in a manic state to either try to convince them to stay (which probably wont work anyway) or to squeeze in as much time with them as could. This is just the nature of living here on Saipan. Good friends come and go and the ones left must go on holding on to the memories that everyone left you with. Simply put: It’s hard, nai!

Riki, you are beautiful and talented. Thank you for singing and playing for me during Open Mic Night. I'll miss you. Good luck with school and maybe I’ll see you, Bev, Brit, and Jessica in March 2009?

A special yummy breakfast with the girls! (May 10, 2008)

Beauty AND talent! (At church, May 17, 2008)
"Veggie dog, anyone?" (Sundown at Ladder Beach, May 9, 2008)

Vegetarians, Riki and Judith trying poki (Hawaiian-style sashimi) for the first time. (At the Abyss, May 8, 2008)

A smooch for the Old Man by the Sea. (April 26, 2008)

So kick some scholastic A in Loma Linda! I miss you, Riki!

Thanks for letting me share again.

The Beachcomber

It is nice to be missed (or Starfish)

A waitress I haven't seen for a while in a restaurant I haven't eaten at for a while said to me, "Oh, I've missed your little stars!" True to my routine, I picked it up and and placed it in her hand saying, "Remember, you are a star."

Remember, you are a star.

The Beachcomber

Oh, Bev.

There have been a couple of posts dedicated to Bev “Bubbles in Paradise” Cabanatan lately due to her recent departure to live and thrive back in her home State of California. The postings from our circle of friends are just simple testimonials to what an effect her friendship had on us all. Everyone who knows her will miss her. I personally take it as a great loss.

It probably helped me a lot in that after her farewell dinner that she called me over to help her pack. There was a power outage when I got home and I think I would have been sad and mopey thinking about the eventual loss of another friend. I think I would have been so overwhelmed with grief that I may not have shown up to the airport. That’s just the way I am and protecting myself from a heartache that way is a poor excuse I know. But staying up late, packing her clothes, chatting, inheriting unwanted items, and eventually falling asleep on the couch saved me the emotions since we had our time on an extended goodbye. Plus there is nothing like a good dose of old reality by way of packing her belongings into her luggage to help bring eventual acceptance. Otherwise I would have been a pretty sad mess. She smiled at me all evening. She kept saying, “Oh, I know you will visit me. You can sleep over at the house!”

Bev, I will miss:

• Our hangout time with just you and me
• Being in love vicariously through your own love story
• Your hugs
• Your midday and late-day IMs
• Eating with you at any hour
• Doing random favors for you
• Your dark tan
• Making me feel like I am a good big brother
• Making me feel like I am a good teacher
• You needing me and making me feel that only I can help in certain situations
• The trust you have in my opinions
• Your open mind and heart, and readily available ears
• Jokes and the teasing
• The way you say, “You’re dumb!”
• The opportunity to play v-ball, dance salsa, and sing karaoke
• Having someone I can use the punchline, "At least it's not Tooth Morphology!"
• Your text messages that starts of with, “What r u doing?”
• Talks, talks and more talks
• You trying to hook me up with whatever new cute girl you've just met
• Your dark hair
• Your braces
• You being just a phone call away
• Invitations to everything
• Seeing and liking who I am inside at a time when I was closed off outside
• Your nice apartment and guitar
• Understanding my personal dilemmas
• Giving you grief about the stuff Greg was supposed to give me
• Being straightforward and real
• Squinty mad eyes
• Playing with your arm scar
• You telling me that I’ll be okay
• Your quick simple prayers
• Just having you near me

I miss you, Beverly Mae.

Last ride with Amy in the Subaru Airport goodbyes: With Tali, Noah and Carol

With Joy and Kuya ErnieWith The Whimsy Peddler
With Mai at a Glance

With two dentists that make looking good as a couple seem easy: Dr. Crystal and Dr. Ken. (Or, Two other people that I can use the punchline, "At least it's not Tooth Morphology!" on).

The best Taotao Guahan I (and I bet you too) know: John Dax

A prayer for traveling mercies.

Of course there was saddness and broken hearts... ...then Jessica smiled: reassurance that we'll be okay.

The Beachcomber