Friday, June 29, 2007
And this, my friends, is why I love Saipan!
Blogging on Saipan is an International experience. The Chamorro, Filipina, Iranian, Korean, Jamaican, Canadian, Swedish-Finn/German, Vietnamese, American, Japanese, and Russian bloggers at the recent Blogger Meetup on Saipan; Photo: Steve Nguyen
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saipan Bloggers Creating Change in the CNMI
June 27, 2006. SAIPAN, CNMI--The turnout at the sixth Blogger Meetup on the pacific island of Saipan reveals a growing, vibrant, and increasingly influential blogging community on this little island of 62,000 people. Average people--teachers, students, entrepreneurs, radio hosts, and even politicians--all part of the "WeLoveSaipan network," are using their writing talent to spark, lead and document change on their island home.
The network, started in December 2006 with the purpose of uniting the community around the goal of improving Saipan's national identity, has scored some wins while acting as the defacto island town criers.
But what's most impressive, is that the We Love Saipan Network's influence extends beyond Saipan's shores. The bloggers, through their unique stories, perspectives, ideas, opinions and photos are helping Saipan's international image and satisfying a curious world's interest in life on this island paradise.
Outside of an awareness of Saipan among its closest regional neighbors--Japan, Philippines, Korea--previously available information about Saipan for those in the US ranged from non-existent
to exceedingly negative. However, as a result of WeLoveSaipan.com, people from the US and other nations have been increasingly inspired to learn more, visit, launch businesses, consider retirement,and even relocate their families there as a result of reading what bloggers have to say.
While not without its share of economic challenges at present, coupled with bad press in recent months, Saipan is now, however, benefiting from this grass roots campaign to highlight the positive side of what life is like on the island.
The bloggers, through the power of link exchanging, have succeeded in raising the WeLoveSaipan.com site's search engine ranking to position 7 (on google.com), further wielding their growing influence over what the world learns about Saipan.
The Blogger Meetup is the chance for bloggers to network face to face in the real world after months of virtual interaction. At last week's meeting, held every final Wednesday of the month at one of the island's internet cafes, 27 of the island's estimated 100 bloggers showed up to share knowledge, exchange ideas, plan future expansion, and simply get to know their blogosphere neighbors.
For more information on the origin, history and individual members of the Network, visit www.WeLoveSaipan.com
###(Click on a 'Label' category above to read all the posts in that category)
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The New Saipan=The New Walt
Someone asked me yesterday what I do. I replied that I'm retired.
People think I'm joking when I say that, given how young they say I look, but in many respects it's completely true--I consider myself as having retired from corporate America in 1995 when I walked away from nine-to-five employment to pursue my passion.
It's truly been a retirement of sorts since I didn't come to Saipan to work or build my business. I came to enjoy life. It was a decision based purely on my private and personal desire to experience new things, new people, new lands and new experiences. I've always wanted to travel to this part of the globe, but never allowed myself the freedom to do so--intent as I was on putting things in place for such a departure. Everything I've been doing throughout my working and business life
has been with the express purpose of achieving a state of freedom. The sorts of income I was methodically building were designed to be passive and residual--not requiring my physical presence in any location for them to be sustained. So while the mechanics of how that freedom would be financed were taking shape, I never had the actual location clear in my head. But on that fateful day in Brooklyn in December 2005, when my friend raved about his experience here on Saipan, something clicked and I heard Saipan calling, and made the decision to up and leave!
Now that I'm here, the adventure of learning new languages and experiencing new social norms, is one that provides me with endless amount of enjoyment and satisfaction.
The unique adventure of navigating personal relationships across language and cultural barriers is a fun challenge. (I'll probaly write more on that in a future post)
Not a day goes by that I don't smile a wide smile of happiness at having made the decision to come here.
However, while the decision to come here was mostly personal, the public/activist side of me could not be submerged.
If I see a situation that I feel I can help, I'm duty bound by my commitment to the universe to do so. I can't NOT help. That would be alien to whom I've come to know as my self. (Of course, one's assessment of a situation, and the nature of one's "help" is purely subjective, but hey...) So, everything I've done while here, the workshops, coaching, the Food Co-op, the NFL (National Forensics League) student competition judging, the weekly Saipan Tribune column, the WeLoveSaipan site, the New Saipan ActionTank, have all been engaged in with the intention of lending my perspectives, talents, and ideas to helping people achieve what they wish to.
So as I immerse myself in these projects and ventures, I realize that a metamorphosis is taking place. The nature of the thoughts and activities that fill my day take on a different hue than when I was in the states.
Now, I'm a "volunteer," and a "community leader," titles I wouldn't have typically assigned myself, but which others here have bestowed.
The dilemma that I mentioned in the previous post is one result of that metamorphosis. As the New Walt emerges--one who is involved in establishing industries on a pacific island, it continues a tradition of shifting identities--a transition--that started back in college, and which included (but was not limited to)
student-->radio DJ-->civil engineer-->record label owner-->author--->passionpreneur-->career coach--->nomadpreneur-->?
and is taking a turn to something which is yet to be fully defined.
Much like the New Saipan which is taking shape, there is a new me developing the end result of which cannot be fully predicted, being a conglomeration of numerous inputs, but which can be steered in a particular direction.
So, what's the point of my rambling? Couldn't tell you. Perhaps when I re-read this tomorrow, I'll detect something more coherent in what I wish to impart, and develop it more then. For now, the simple message is....Stay tuned....a change is gonna come...
People think I'm joking when I say that, given how young they say I look, but in many respects it's completely true--I consider myself as having retired from corporate America in 1995 when I walked away from nine-to-five employment to pursue my passion.
It's truly been a retirement of sorts since I didn't come to Saipan to work or build my business. I came to enjoy life. It was a decision based purely on my private and personal desire to experience new things, new people, new lands and new experiences. I've always wanted to travel to this part of the globe, but never allowed myself the freedom to do so--intent as I was on putting things in place for such a departure. Everything I've been doing throughout my working and business life
has been with the express purpose of achieving a state of freedom. The sorts of income I was methodically building were designed to be passive and residual--not requiring my physical presence in any location for them to be sustained. So while the mechanics of how that freedom would be financed were taking shape, I never had the actual location clear in my head. But on that fateful day in Brooklyn in December 2005, when my friend raved about his experience here on Saipan, something clicked and I heard Saipan calling, and made the decision to up and leave!
Now that I'm here, the adventure of learning new languages and experiencing new social norms, is one that provides me with endless amount of enjoyment and satisfaction.
The unique adventure of navigating personal relationships across language and cultural barriers is a fun challenge. (I'll probaly write more on that in a future post)
Not a day goes by that I don't smile a wide smile of happiness at having made the decision to come here.
However, while the decision to come here was mostly personal, the public/activist side of me could not be submerged.
If I see a situation that I feel I can help, I'm duty bound by my commitment to the universe to do so. I can't NOT help. That would be alien to whom I've come to know as my self. (Of course, one's assessment of a situation, and the nature of one's "help" is purely subjective, but hey...) So, everything I've done while here, the workshops, coaching, the Food Co-op, the NFL (National Forensics League) student competition judging, the weekly Saipan Tribune column, the WeLoveSaipan site, the New Saipan ActionTank, have all been engaged in with the intention of lending my perspectives, talents, and ideas to helping people achieve what they wish to.
So as I immerse myself in these projects and ventures, I realize that a metamorphosis is taking place. The nature of the thoughts and activities that fill my day take on a different hue than when I was in the states.
Now, I'm a "volunteer," and a "community leader," titles I wouldn't have typically assigned myself, but which others here have bestowed.
The dilemma that I mentioned in the previous post is one result of that metamorphosis. As the New Walt emerges--one who is involved in establishing industries on a pacific island, it continues a tradition of shifting identities--a transition--that started back in college, and which included (but was not limited to)
student-->radio DJ-->civil engineer-->record label owner-->author--->passionpreneur-->career coach--->nomadpreneur-->?
and is taking a turn to something which is yet to be fully defined.
Much like the New Saipan which is taking shape, there is a new me developing the end result of which cannot be fully predicted, being a conglomeration of numerous inputs, but which can be steered in a particular direction.
So, what's the point of my rambling? Couldn't tell you. Perhaps when I re-read this tomorrow, I'll detect something more coherent in what I wish to impart, and develop it more then. For now, the simple message is....Stay tuned....a change is gonna come...
Labels: Lifestyle, The Universe
(Click on a 'Label' category above to read all the posts in that category)My Dilemma
So, here's my dilemma. It's not that I haven't had anything to say these past few days. Actually, it's quite the opposite. There's so much going on that I haven't decided how and where I want to document it all. I've recently launched the NewSaipan ActionTank, which amounts to an all-inclusive banner under which I can post information on all the projects I've been working on while here on Saipan. The challenge with that, of course, is that I don't really want to have two blogs running concurrently (this one and a NewSaipan blog). I prefer to focus my energies. So, do I bring Side Orders to a close? Or, do I bite the bullet and commit to two blogs?
On a similar note, there's still not a personal blog where I can post things that have nothing to do with business--like my recent pleasure trip to Managaha. But, being somewhat of a public figure, I'm not sure if that's appropriate or wise to do.
Anyway...
Went to enjoy myself at the Liberation Day festivities on Thursday,
Had another interview on Harry Blalock's show last Friday...
Met with members of the New Saipan ActionTank on Saturday
Took part in a commemorative tree planting event on Tuesday
My article in the Tribune appeared on Wednesday
Members of Saipan's blogger community appeared on Harry's show today (I was there in spirit)
Tonight (Thursday) I'll likely be in Garapan for the street market
Friday I'll likely be at GIG dancing the night away...
And every hour in-between, I'm brainstorming, making calls, and moving things forward
with The Pacific Island Food Co-op, The Saipanpreneur Project the NewSaipan ActionTank, and this great experience I call my life!
Ok, ok, maybe I'll show one shot from last week at GIG....
Caption: encircled and loving it!(Click on a 'Label' category above to read all the posts in that category)
On a similar note, there's still not a personal blog where I can post things that have nothing to do with business--like my recent pleasure trip to Managaha. But, being somewhat of a public figure, I'm not sure if that's appropriate or wise to do.
Anyway...
Went to enjoy myself at the Liberation Day festivities on Thursday,
Had another interview on Harry Blalock's show last Friday...
Met with members of the New Saipan ActionTank on Saturday
Took part in a commemorative tree planting event on Tuesday
My article in the Tribune appeared on Wednesday
Members of Saipan's blogger community appeared on Harry's show today (I was there in spirit)
Tonight (Thursday) I'll likely be in Garapan for the street market
Friday I'll likely be at GIG dancing the night away...
And every hour in-between, I'm brainstorming, making calls, and moving things forward
with The Pacific Island Food Co-op, The Saipanpreneur Project the NewSaipan ActionTank, and this great experience I call my life!
Ok, ok, maybe I'll show one shot from last week at GIG....
Caption: encircled and loving it!(Click on a 'Label' category above to read all the posts in that category)
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Saipan Blogger Article by Jeff Turbitt
hey Jeff,
Since it's a bit of a challenge finding the entire article on the Marianas Variety website, I've followed Bev's lead and posted it here as well! Great job!
Jeff Turbitt: Saipan Blogger Article
Jeff's three part article was featured in the Marianas Variety News this week.
WHETHER to keep up with friends far away, enjoy a new forum for self-expression, change the perception of the CNMI or simply to opine on matters local, national or personal, blogging has taken the CNMI by storm. The community of CNMI bloggers cuts a wide swath of society: lawyer, doctor, journalist, principal, environmental activist and dental hygienist to name the day jobs of a few CNMI bloggers. All have their own particular focus and passion, but each finds a creative outlet in this new form of self expression that readers are increasingly responding to. For those unfamiliar with the rapid machinations of cyberspace, blogging is an online diary in which participants can offer written thoughts, as well as audio, video or digital images, on virtually anything. Blogging allows most anyone to be a journalist of sorts. Journalism even at the highest level doesn’t require a license. Blogging took on a new level of social cachet in the party conventions during the last presidential election, as a media area devoted specifically to bloggers was set up, and the opinions set forth by bloggers have increasing influence the establishment media. Blogging is included and covered in everything from the New York Times to Slate.
There are now approximately 1.3 million English blogs on the Web. One can conservatively estimate there are now at least 30 CNMI blogs. There were five or less a year ago.
The pole position blogger in the CNMI is probably Angelo Villagomez (http://www.jetapplicant.blogspot.com/), a privately employed political/environmental organizer who recently returned to his birthplace here in the CNMI after being raised and educated on the U.S. mainland. Villagomez’s blog averages a solid 430 plus hits per day, and partially took off after having links related to a sex scandal involving Miss Nevada Katie Rees. But sex scandals aren’t the crux of Villagomez’s blog, though he has been known to display a bevy of athletic bikini babes on his site. His blog discusses all types of things with a particular focus on environmental issues. “My blog is about life in Saipan. I touch on politics, people, places, events, and when things get boring I just post girls in bikinis. I also talk about national topics. I also post videos and pictures,” he said.
Villagomez notes blogging can entail certain negative experiences, such as when he was fired for blogging. He was critical of management at a restaurant he was employed in, discussed his thoughts in one of his earlier blogs, and was then told his services weren’t needed anymore. That experience didn’t stop him, but he acknowledges certain vulnerability from his online journal. “When you blog, you are opening up yourself to the world. When you allow people to see the world through your eyes, you become sort of a celebrity. People who don’t know you will think they know you. People will leave you comments with the intent of pissing you off.
I’ve had people leave some very personal nasty things about my family. Most things have been good. I make some money off of the Yahoo ads on my blog, plus people are always telling me that what I publish online reminds them of what a great place Saipan can be.”
Changing that perception of Saipan has been one of the goals of many of the Saipan bloggers. Most anyone who makes the move to Saipan will come across the Saipan Sucks Web site, which is extremely critical of the CNMI and can scare off a potential recruit. There was very little on the Internet to give a more balanced view of the islands prior to this rise in blogging, so a recent entrant to the CNMI, Walt F.J. Goodridge (www.passionprofit.com/escape), an author, career coach and “nomadpreneur,” started the We Love Saipan network (www.welovesaipan.com), a launching point for many CNMI bloggers last year.
“Right now, because of what we’re doing, there’s a new dialogue developing. There are an increasing number of people around the world who, after now discovering us through these new blogger channels, are saying things like: ‘I’m thinking of moving to Saipan! Have you ever heard of a place called Saipan? Ever thought about retiring on Saipan?’ Yes, the dialogue is changing,” Goodridge said.
THE dialogue isn’t completely Wild West, a common criticism of blogging. Given the size of the island, some people can feel a little bit of self-censorship — especially if their career seems to require more discretion.
Melissa Simms (http://melissasimms.blogspot.com), an assistant attorney general with the Division of Immigration, says the focus of her blog is her own usual day to day life struggles, as well as observations and sometimes tirades, but there are limitations. “Due to my position in the community, I tend to steer away from anything too political or controversial, even though I have very strong opinions. I find it is a great outlet for me to express myself and communicate with my friends and family who are far away. I have met many wonderful people and made a lot of new friends through my blog that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
Simms also said things she read on CNMI blogs helped influence her recent move to the island, and she has come to enjoy the friendships of other bloggers, who meet on the last Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at Java Joes café to talk and offer advice. There is an open invite to potential bloggers to join in as well. “I think that the blogging community in Saipan is very strong — we are all very different in occupations, political opinion, hobbies, etc., but blogging ties us together, and helps paint a picture of what Saipan is really like from the perspective of many different people.” Brad Ruszala (http://beachboyinparadise.blogspot.com), a sportswriter and general sports enthusiast, professes great love for his adopted hometown of Saipan, and posts mostly about sports and daily life. He enjoys the different perspective blogging allows. “Too many negative stories about our islands come out in the local and international press. For some, that’s the only way of getting information. I have a real stake in the future of this place and I know that there is plenty more to read about than the evaporating garment industry, the ridiculous utilities firm and the soap opera politicking on the hill.”
Ruszala also likes the democracy and different perspectives blogging allows. “The multimillion dollar foreign owned corporations and the overpaid politicians have lost touch with the regular people, so it’s time that the regular folks like me speak up. I’m not here to change the world, but I am here to say that it’s a lot different down here where I am.”
Yvonne Reyes-Gomez (http://sommysmommy.blogspot.com) is the principal of Garapan Elementary School, the largest elementary school in the CNMI, and she is someone who simply enjoys writing. ”Reading and writing are the two hobbies that give me the most satisfaction because I am able to expand my own thinking and express myself. I’m a wanna-be published writer, but without the guts or time to actually sit down and produce something worthy of publication. Blogging is my fix. I can be a poet, a political activist, a short story writer, even a comedian in a blog.”
Reyes-Gomez also eases her day to day anxiety through blogging. “I have a very stressful job. I never get a chance to really sit down and reflect on the other areas in my life. Blogging helps to re-focus. It’s sort of like a gratitude journal, a chance for me to see and say all the things that I do outside of work. Sometimes I feel like I don’t contribute enough to my community and especially my family. Blogging is tangible proof that I have a life outside of the campus gates.” Unlike Simms, Reyes-Gomez feels less need for self-censorship. “I write about my thoughts on government and its leaders or lack thereof. In my blog I do not have to worry about being “proper” and keeping my government agent hat on too tightly.” But government officials aren’t the only ones who might be a bit cautious around Reyes-Gomez, her own family must keep an eye on what they say. “Sometimes even my family self-edits what they do and say because they know it will eventually be publicized. I am the mamarazzi!”
One of the challenges all bloggers face is updating their blogs with fresh thoughts on interesting topics. “Sometimes I get blogorhea. Sometimes I’m on every day. It all depends on what’s going on in my life. When you’re a blogger, there may not be an event to post everyday, but there is always a thought worthy of sharing. I’m not against posting a one sentence quip either, just to get it off my chest. I read blogs every day though,” Reyes-Gomez said.
SOMETIMES devotion to a hobby leads to blogging. This is the case for Melissa Highfill, a self described “stay at home mom” who said she started blogging after seeing other people’s blog addresses in their signature on needlework message boards. “I use it as a tool to keep up with my friends and some of my family back home while we are stationed out here. If I had to pick one general theme, it would be needlework...that is what started it all and that is what I mainly look at when I am looking at other blogs. Many of my needlework friends are intrigued by our life here...hardly anyone has heard of Saipan,” Highfill said.
Bree Reynolds (http://breeanddoug.blogspot.com), a science teacher at Hopwood Junior High School, has a spouse who wonders why she devotes so much energy to blogging. “My husband actually asked me what the appeal was. Don’t get me wrong, he thinks it’s great that I’m documenting our lives, posting pictures, communicating with family, etc. That way he doesn’t have to do it, but he doesn’t get the appeal of sitting in front of a screen for hours reading other blogs, posting comments, etc. I told him, ‘I like to talk’ and blogging is sort of like talking to other people. Plus it’s a creative outlet.” Reynolds also thinks blogging is an educational tool. “I created a blog for students to post about science and environmental related topics www.greencnmi. blogspot.com and another blog for posting about books and writing at www.fottenreaders.blogspot.com. These blogs are open to anyone in the CNMI that wants to contribute. They just need to email me to become an author. My students have also received a greater audience for their work and I really love that because it shows what students from an overcrowded, under-funded public middle school can do when they are motivated and inspired.”
Beverly Cabanatan (http://bevecaba.blogspot.com/), a registered dental hygienist, is one of the many CNMI bloggers with a spiritual focus. “I wanted to keep my family and friends in touch with what my life is like as a missionary dental hygienist with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Saipan. I wanted to record my adventures, my experiences with my patients, and my spiritual growth in Saipan. I blog about my spiritual journey, the outreach of the SDA Church, missionary life, scuba diving, and random other things about my life on Saipan.
Dr. David Khorram (http://marianaseye.blogspot.com), an eye specialist and surgeon, uses blogging as an outlet for his many different interests. “My most positive experiences relate to influencing people’s lives and opinions in a positive way through my writing. I’m now getting about 100 visitors a day, so I know that people are enjoying what they read. Recently a friend sent me a link to a Web site in the Philippines where someone was quoting me after reading my blog. That was cool. The Saipan blogs provide personal perspectives on issues I’m not usually exposed to, uncover news, provide information on events and activities, and are made by a pretty savvy group of individuals that I have come to know and trust. As a result, the Saipan blogs have positively influenced my experience of Saipan.”
The net result of all this activity is a massive increase in the amount of online information about these islands, and a more balanced and diverse view of life here. It might take a little longer, but even global internet trends make their way to these tiny Mariana islands.
Jeffrey C. Turbitt is author of Saipan and Other Random Hypercritical Thoughts, a blog focused on local politics. His blog can be viewed at http://turbittj.blogspot.com/(Click on a 'Label' category above to read all the posts in that category)
Since it's a bit of a challenge finding the entire article on the Marianas Variety website, I've followed Bev's lead and posted it here as well! Great job!
Jeff Turbitt: Saipan Blogger Article
Jeff's three part article was featured in the Marianas Variety News this week.
WHETHER to keep up with friends far away, enjoy a new forum for self-expression, change the perception of the CNMI or simply to opine on matters local, national or personal, blogging has taken the CNMI by storm. The community of CNMI bloggers cuts a wide swath of society: lawyer, doctor, journalist, principal, environmental activist and dental hygienist to name the day jobs of a few CNMI bloggers. All have their own particular focus and passion, but each finds a creative outlet in this new form of self expression that readers are increasingly responding to. For those unfamiliar with the rapid machinations of cyberspace, blogging is an online diary in which participants can offer written thoughts, as well as audio, video or digital images, on virtually anything. Blogging allows most anyone to be a journalist of sorts. Journalism even at the highest level doesn’t require a license. Blogging took on a new level of social cachet in the party conventions during the last presidential election, as a media area devoted specifically to bloggers was set up, and the opinions set forth by bloggers have increasing influence the establishment media. Blogging is included and covered in everything from the New York Times to Slate.
There are now approximately 1.3 million English blogs on the Web. One can conservatively estimate there are now at least 30 CNMI blogs. There were five or less a year ago.
The pole position blogger in the CNMI is probably Angelo Villagomez (http://www.jetapplicant.blogspot.com/), a privately employed political/environmental organizer who recently returned to his birthplace here in the CNMI after being raised and educated on the U.S. mainland. Villagomez’s blog averages a solid 430 plus hits per day, and partially took off after having links related to a sex scandal involving Miss Nevada Katie Rees. But sex scandals aren’t the crux of Villagomez’s blog, though he has been known to display a bevy of athletic bikini babes on his site. His blog discusses all types of things with a particular focus on environmental issues. “My blog is about life in Saipan. I touch on politics, people, places, events, and when things get boring I just post girls in bikinis. I also talk about national topics. I also post videos and pictures,” he said.
Villagomez notes blogging can entail certain negative experiences, such as when he was fired for blogging. He was critical of management at a restaurant he was employed in, discussed his thoughts in one of his earlier blogs, and was then told his services weren’t needed anymore. That experience didn’t stop him, but he acknowledges certain vulnerability from his online journal. “When you blog, you are opening up yourself to the world. When you allow people to see the world through your eyes, you become sort of a celebrity. People who don’t know you will think they know you. People will leave you comments with the intent of pissing you off.
I’ve had people leave some very personal nasty things about my family. Most things have been good. I make some money off of the Yahoo ads on my blog, plus people are always telling me that what I publish online reminds them of what a great place Saipan can be.”
Changing that perception of Saipan has been one of the goals of many of the Saipan bloggers. Most anyone who makes the move to Saipan will come across the Saipan Sucks Web site, which is extremely critical of the CNMI and can scare off a potential recruit. There was very little on the Internet to give a more balanced view of the islands prior to this rise in blogging, so a recent entrant to the CNMI, Walt F.J. Goodridge (www.passionprofit.com/escape), an author, career coach and “nomadpreneur,” started the We Love Saipan network (www.welovesaipan.com), a launching point for many CNMI bloggers last year.
“Right now, because of what we’re doing, there’s a new dialogue developing. There are an increasing number of people around the world who, after now discovering us through these new blogger channels, are saying things like: ‘I’m thinking of moving to Saipan! Have you ever heard of a place called Saipan? Ever thought about retiring on Saipan?’ Yes, the dialogue is changing,” Goodridge said.
THE dialogue isn’t completely Wild West, a common criticism of blogging. Given the size of the island, some people can feel a little bit of self-censorship — especially if their career seems to require more discretion.
Melissa Simms (http://melissasimms.blogspot.com), an assistant attorney general with the Division of Immigration, says the focus of her blog is her own usual day to day life struggles, as well as observations and sometimes tirades, but there are limitations. “Due to my position in the community, I tend to steer away from anything too political or controversial, even though I have very strong opinions. I find it is a great outlet for me to express myself and communicate with my friends and family who are far away. I have met many wonderful people and made a lot of new friends through my blog that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
Simms also said things she read on CNMI blogs helped influence her recent move to the island, and she has come to enjoy the friendships of other bloggers, who meet on the last Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at Java Joes café to talk and offer advice. There is an open invite to potential bloggers to join in as well. “I think that the blogging community in Saipan is very strong — we are all very different in occupations, political opinion, hobbies, etc., but blogging ties us together, and helps paint a picture of what Saipan is really like from the perspective of many different people.” Brad Ruszala (http://beachboyinparadise.blogspot.com), a sportswriter and general sports enthusiast, professes great love for his adopted hometown of Saipan, and posts mostly about sports and daily life. He enjoys the different perspective blogging allows. “Too many negative stories about our islands come out in the local and international press. For some, that’s the only way of getting information. I have a real stake in the future of this place and I know that there is plenty more to read about than the evaporating garment industry, the ridiculous utilities firm and the soap opera politicking on the hill.”
Ruszala also likes the democracy and different perspectives blogging allows. “The multimillion dollar foreign owned corporations and the overpaid politicians have lost touch with the regular people, so it’s time that the regular folks like me speak up. I’m not here to change the world, but I am here to say that it’s a lot different down here where I am.”
Yvonne Reyes-Gomez (http://sommysmommy.blogspot.com) is the principal of Garapan Elementary School, the largest elementary school in the CNMI, and she is someone who simply enjoys writing. ”Reading and writing are the two hobbies that give me the most satisfaction because I am able to expand my own thinking and express myself. I’m a wanna-be published writer, but without the guts or time to actually sit down and produce something worthy of publication. Blogging is my fix. I can be a poet, a political activist, a short story writer, even a comedian in a blog.”
Reyes-Gomez also eases her day to day anxiety through blogging. “I have a very stressful job. I never get a chance to really sit down and reflect on the other areas in my life. Blogging helps to re-focus. It’s sort of like a gratitude journal, a chance for me to see and say all the things that I do outside of work. Sometimes I feel like I don’t contribute enough to my community and especially my family. Blogging is tangible proof that I have a life outside of the campus gates.” Unlike Simms, Reyes-Gomez feels less need for self-censorship. “I write about my thoughts on government and its leaders or lack thereof. In my blog I do not have to worry about being “proper” and keeping my government agent hat on too tightly.” But government officials aren’t the only ones who might be a bit cautious around Reyes-Gomez, her own family must keep an eye on what they say. “Sometimes even my family self-edits what they do and say because they know it will eventually be publicized. I am the mamarazzi!”
One of the challenges all bloggers face is updating their blogs with fresh thoughts on interesting topics. “Sometimes I get blogorhea. Sometimes I’m on every day. It all depends on what’s going on in my life. When you’re a blogger, there may not be an event to post everyday, but there is always a thought worthy of sharing. I’m not against posting a one sentence quip either, just to get it off my chest. I read blogs every day though,” Reyes-Gomez said.
SOMETIMES devotion to a hobby leads to blogging. This is the case for Melissa Highfill, a self described “stay at home mom” who said she started blogging after seeing other people’s blog addresses in their signature on needlework message boards. “I use it as a tool to keep up with my friends and some of my family back home while we are stationed out here. If I had to pick one general theme, it would be needlework...that is what started it all and that is what I mainly look at when I am looking at other blogs. Many of my needlework friends are intrigued by our life here...hardly anyone has heard of Saipan,” Highfill said.
Bree Reynolds (http://breeanddoug.blogspot.com), a science teacher at Hopwood Junior High School, has a spouse who wonders why she devotes so much energy to blogging. “My husband actually asked me what the appeal was. Don’t get me wrong, he thinks it’s great that I’m documenting our lives, posting pictures, communicating with family, etc. That way he doesn’t have to do it, but he doesn’t get the appeal of sitting in front of a screen for hours reading other blogs, posting comments, etc. I told him, ‘I like to talk’ and blogging is sort of like talking to other people. Plus it’s a creative outlet.” Reynolds also thinks blogging is an educational tool. “I created a blog for students to post about science and environmental related topics www.greencnmi. blogspot.com and another blog for posting about books and writing at www.fottenreaders.blogspot.com. These blogs are open to anyone in the CNMI that wants to contribute. They just need to email me to become an author. My students have also received a greater audience for their work and I really love that because it shows what students from an overcrowded, under-funded public middle school can do when they are motivated and inspired.”
Beverly Cabanatan (http://bevecaba.blogspot.com/), a registered dental hygienist, is one of the many CNMI bloggers with a spiritual focus. “I wanted to keep my family and friends in touch with what my life is like as a missionary dental hygienist with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Saipan. I wanted to record my adventures, my experiences with my patients, and my spiritual growth in Saipan. I blog about my spiritual journey, the outreach of the SDA Church, missionary life, scuba diving, and random other things about my life on Saipan.
Dr. David Khorram (http://marianaseye.blogspot.com), an eye specialist and surgeon, uses blogging as an outlet for his many different interests. “My most positive experiences relate to influencing people’s lives and opinions in a positive way through my writing. I’m now getting about 100 visitors a day, so I know that people are enjoying what they read. Recently a friend sent me a link to a Web site in the Philippines where someone was quoting me after reading my blog. That was cool. The Saipan blogs provide personal perspectives on issues I’m not usually exposed to, uncover news, provide information on events and activities, and are made by a pretty savvy group of individuals that I have come to know and trust. As a result, the Saipan blogs have positively influenced my experience of Saipan.”
The net result of all this activity is a massive increase in the amount of online information about these islands, and a more balanced and diverse view of life here. It might take a little longer, but even global internet trends make their way to these tiny Mariana islands.
Jeffrey C. Turbitt is author of Saipan and Other Random Hypercritical Thoughts, a blog focused on local politics. His blog can be viewed at http://turbittj.blogspot.com/(Click on a 'Label' category above to read all the posts in that category)
Island Issues Interview & The New Saipan
As I mentioned, last Friday morning found me on Harry Blalock's Island Issues radio program. Here's the full 50-minute interview for those interested. (To download, "right click" on the link (PC) or "CTRL click" (MAC) to see options that should allow you to save file to your harddrive)
Or, if you have a dial-up connection, and need to download in parts....
It was the first public unveiling of some ideas that I've come to call "The New Saipan," which I subsequently put in written form in my column in the Tribune.
Labels: Interviews, Walt's Articles
(Click on a 'Label' category above to read all the posts in that category)Monday, June 4, 2007
Still here!
Ok, I've been a bit busy lately. I've been channeling most of my creativity towards my weekly column, as well as some other projects which I'll announce shortly.
Last week, I gave at talk at the Rotary International weekly meeting,
On Friday, I was interviewed by Harry Blaylock for his "Island Issues" radio program.
Here's Lewie Tenorio, the music director responsible for the great song selections I enjoy on the music station I listen to most here on Saipan. (103.9 KZMI-FM).
Wednesday's Tribune article will have some insight into what I've been spending most of my time and mental energies brainstorming on.
Last week, I gave at talk at the Rotary International weekly meeting,
On Friday, I was interviewed by Harry Blaylock for his "Island Issues" radio program.
Here's Lewie Tenorio, the music director responsible for the great song selections I enjoy on the music station I listen to most here on Saipan. (103.9 KZMI-FM).
Wednesday's Tribune article will have some insight into what I've been spending most of my time and mental energies brainstorming on.
Labels: Update
(Click on a 'Label' category above to read all the posts in that category)
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