April 28, 2023: Heading to Manila, Philippines to help a friend do some work on his home. Here are some shots from my current Jamaican in China…and Beyond adventure! I’ll go into more detail in the video currently being edited!
Passing over Goat Island just south of Tinian on the way to GuamHad about a six-hour layover on Guam, so I rented a car from Toyota and visited some old haunts!Had lunch and picked up a few items at Simply Food, Seventh Day Adventist restaurant, Agana Heights, GuamNighttime over ManilaManila Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Staying in a friend’s empty condo, so I’ll have to buy a few things for comfort later in the morning!Morning in Parañaque, Manila from a 10th floor balconyRooftop view! More to come! Stay tuned!
I’ve been on Guam for the past 3 days, for two reasons: (1) to meet up with friend and co-author, WWII Battle of Saipan/Battle of Guam veteran Lloyd & Judy Glick who’ve been invited as honored guests to experience Guam’s 75th Liberation Commemoration, and (2) to do a Writers Workshop for aspiring writers on Guam! Here are the details as they appear on the www.guamwriters.com site.
Writers Workshop #1 on Guam!
It happened here. The DNA Building in Hagåtña, on the island of Guam
For the few days leading up to the event, posters were plastered in the lobbies, elevators, at the Credit Union, and even at the security guard booth of the DNA Building!
Fliers everywhere!Herman and me at the security guard booth!
On Thursday, at the suggestion of Kevin Kerrigan at the Daily Post, I called up K-57AM talk radio upon landing
on Guam.
I was expecting to get an email address to send a press release, or a phone number of someone to speak with.
Before I even finished telling the operator what the event was about (I got no further than “It’s a writers
workshop here at the DNA Building for aspiring authors who wish to—“), I was immediately put through to the
studio host, and got to announce the event on the air!
Announced on talk radio!
The kind folks at the University of Guam Student Life office were nice enough to share the flier of the event on their Facebook page
Shared with the student body at the University of Guam!
The Guam Business Journal (Glimpses Media) posted
the event for their subscribers on their Business Events Calendar on the MBJ website.(Thanks Maureen! Thanks Meghan!)
On the Friday before the event, Melissa the DNA operations manager, her son and security personnel made sure the 58-inch flat screen that we rented from Dial, plus the wifi and room set-up
were all in order!
Making sure all is in place!
One of my books, From Bugle Boy to Battle Ship that I co-wrote
with friend, and visiting Battle of Saipan veteran Lloyd Glick was featured on the evening KUAM Primetime news!
Veteran Lloyd Glick shows off “From Bugle Boy to Battleship,” the book he and I wrote
Lloyd and two other dignitaries are interviewed upon their return
to Guam after 75 years
The afternoon before the workshop, I was able to spend some time with Lloyd and Judy at their hotel just before they headed out to another function sponsored by the Guam Visitor’s Bureau!
Me and the Glicks on Guam
The three Battle of Saipan/Guam veterans (see video)
Guam Workshop attendeesRlene S. shares with the groupPhoto by: Dianne StrongPhoto by: Dianne Strong
Photo by: Marie Lizama
Author and instructor Walt F.J. Goodridge, and several of the attendees of Guam’s First Writers Workshop: l.to r. Fadila K., Marie L., Sophie N., Tyrone B., Dianne S., Christopher A., Jeni Ann F., Kim B. and Dr.Sam M. (Not shown: Rlene S. and Louise.)
And extra special thanks to Joe Hill on Saipan, and Dave, Letitia, Melissa, Avery, Vincent and Herman at DNA Inc, (and
to all the organizations and people mentioned above) for making it all happen and run so smoothly
on short notice! As we say in Jamaica, “Nuff Respek!”
Pursue Passion! Break Free! Cross boundaries! See the world!