Avalanche of hopelessness

For our countrymen, there was once the inspirational “hope and change” mantra Obama echoed repeatedly since eight years ago. But then he noticed he’s wrought a hopeless electorate, the complete opposite of what he initially envisioned, quizzing what went wrong?

Here at home we’ve heard of the “solutions driven” team. But it hasn’t moved anywhere either and not when “Dopey and Goofy” are drowning in their humiliating inexperience in public affairs. I actually wanted to see some semblance of success in the interest of villagers. There’s nothing up that alley! So I find personal hope turned into a hopeless case too.

The people on the hill may be quizzing why the avalanche of negative reactions from the electorate in the villages. Well, did you factually improve their lot or is this still at the fatuous level? Or did you drown it in your cesspool of dishonesty, incompetence and corruption!

People still suffer from stagnant salaries of over 20 years, healthcare rationing, agencies allowed to borrow on their own confirming insufficient local funds, among others. Do we re-elect Republicans glorifying the GOP’s failed performance in perpetuity?

I tried to understand the ad hoc method of disposing issues of importance often treated with inconsequence and neglect. This isn’t a mean-spirited assessment though straightforward and downright uncomfortable it may be. Do you take pride in your legacy relegating our people’s lives into the abyss or hellish hole of abject poverty? No mas!

Shore: A restful visit

As the beautiful sunset withdraws its colorful glow against the evening skies, how calming a feeling sitting along the shore communing with the spirit and beauty of paradise.

At a distance, two white doves wing it home for the day with a full view of land deep blue. The last of fishermen head home too. I listened to tiny waves breaking on the shore or the whisper of balmy and light tropical breeze headed out to sea. What tranquil evening along the shores of this pearly isle where solace abounds even for quiet spiritual exercise.

I took a quick glimpse of the dimming blue heavens. It reminded me of an old country and Western tune that says in part, “Under the blue skies of home is where I will rest forever.” It’s a sentimental tune from a cowboy who’s roamed deserts and huge farmlands. Mine are the golden shores and vast ocean before me.

I recalled faces I’ve met along the shore including families working on pull nets catching juvenile fish. It was traditional fishing for family sustenance. Wondered what happened to small shoreline crabs that used to roam the golden beach, daily.

When the sunset disappeared and clouds of white moved in, the other side of the horizon lights up into dawn as dusk settles on our side. It was a quick trip to memory lane seeing familiar faces and remembering hands I’ve pressed a long time ago. Boy! Time flies, disappearing like morning dew as the sunbeam brightens this verdant strand.

I’d visit Puntan Muchot occasionally if only to pay tribute to traditional master fishermen whose trade once turned the area into a thriving fishing community long ago. Indeed, it’s hard traveling back to our ancestral days for it’s too long a journey. But like an islander once said, “We’re still here living off ancestral land. We would never return. We never left.”

Old airport: Remember trips to the old airport (now Koblerville) when we ate tiny pebbles and dust as the DC-10 turns to head to the runway?

Around 1971 or so the first PanAm 702 jet landed here as smooth as a feather. None of us knew that it brought with it Japanese folks who were born and lived here before the war.

I then understood the tears welling from their eyes and kissing the ground when they cleared the ladder. The trip must have been a sacrifice saving money for that “final trip home.” It was a sentimental journey seeing the place in Garapan where they used to roam as kids. Most remembered the bell tower behind Kristo Rai Church and Fishing Base.

What a memorable trip that must be where they eventually met with our parents conversing in Japanese and singing old nursery rhyme songs together, learned in school a long time ago. It’s one sentimental journey. Sad, though, how high paying visitors from the Land of the Rising Sun has taken to the sunset.

Temperament

It is admirable, folks blessed with outstanding temperament that grants them the stronger ability to handle almost all situations with a sense of mature balance. This is especially vital when dealing with difficult people or complaining customers at a business place. Mine was strictly business and don’t have the time for polite niceties!

I remember turning over difficult issues to our general manager, Michael Geisinger when we both were attached to the Saipan Tribune. He worked the staff between the main office and the print shop. He handled complaining customers who left the office with a huge grin on their faces. He’s handled correspondence with mature and polished language that met our purpose coming out of tight situations smelling like a rose.

That’s the special ability of my friend, Mike Geisinger—almost always very mindful of people no matter their stations in life. Trust me, I took a personal retreat to learn from my friend the huge benefits of being mindful.

Indeed, no matter your success even at the top of the largest corporation on earth, never forget for a moment that “it’s all about people.” My friend is sick and is hardly mobile but this is our treasured relationship for over 20 years now. Though in pain, his powerful and ever cheerful voice of optimism grants me hope and strength to regroup and ever grateful for our shared sense of spirituality. Si Yuus Maase` Mike! Stay healthy!