A Fancy Party

The company I work for, DFS Galleria, celebrated its 50th Anniversary in November...and there was a grand 'ol celebration in Hongkong where it all began.  So grand that Wyclef Jean was in attendance along with Hongkong glitteratis and many others.  In Guam, we had ourselves a fancy sit down dinner at the Hyatt Regency Guam and it was nothing short of FABULOUS!  It is a rarity that we have sit down dinner galas at DFS, so this one was a real treat.  Most everyone came out in their fancy ball gowns...and when I say 'most everyone' I mean the others had to run the store...we are a busy business...that is how we reached the golden age of 50 after all...

The party itself was awesome!  The party committee did such an amazing job putting it all together.  Like I said, it was a fancy sit down dinner, complete with a string quartet...a live band...and a DJ for dancing afterwards.  And of course, in true DFS Fashion...there was a raffle with prizes that consist of luxury items like Gucci, Tag Heur watches and many more!  I'm sure that I not only speak for myself when I say it was a grand 'ol time!  Here are some pictures of the event...

Happy 50 DFS!

Fashion Managers with Talent Management Managers

the entree

the dessert

some award nominees

the Sales Associates letting loose

Thanksgiving 2010

I have so much to be thankful for in this lifetime...thank you, thank you, thank you!

Happy thanksgiving!

Chuck E. Cheese in Guam

Chuck E. Cheese opened its doors for business in Guam a little over a week ago...and for a small island, this was all the hype!  It's quite typical for us here when something new opens up, and the novelty eventually wears off...but in the meantime, this place, although quite huge in terms of square footage, was packed from front to back.  Adults and children alike lined up to get in for days...it was a madhouse, to say the least.  On its sixth day of business, my sister and I braved it out and took our girls, along with our little sister and brother...it was a Saturday, so we were quite brave.  My brother and I got there first...and I got front row parking...AND...NO LINE!  My sister on the other hand, wasn't so lucky...and because we had to wait for her, a small line had formed.  We waited for a bit, and went inside in no time.  The girls played...they ate...they drank...and they played some more...it was a lot of fun!  Even Paige had fun and wanted to to play the games.  Although Chuck E. Cheese was not her favorite...she was a bit terrified.  I would be too if a giant rat dressed in a sporty outfit were trying to get my attention.  All in all, I enjoyed watching the kids enjoy themselves...

Paige's expression is hilarious!

Parris & Cayley Convos

Parris and Cayley (my sister's daughter), often engage in conversations which almost always makes me laugh.  Today, as we were driving home from school, Parris brushes her face against her baby sister Paige's calves...

Parris:  Ooohh Cayley, do this.
Cayley:  No.
Parris:  You have to.
Cayley:  Why is it soft?
Parris:  Yes.
Cayley:  That means she doesn't do hard work.
             If your skin is soft, that means you don't do hard work.

...oh kids!  They never cease to make me laugh!

~their silly ways~

Life is precious

This week there were constant reminders that life is precious...in the local news, there was a traffic fatality involving a woman and it was extremely unfortunate.  My heart, along with everyone who read about it...I'm sure...went out to her family.  Then a former colleague's wife lost her life during an emergency c-section.  Again, my heart went out to him and their girls...such unfortunate events...and so heart-wrenching.  Today, I received an email with a link...and the subject was "Kim Zarraga Accident."  I opened this e-mail, waited for the page to load and read the article.  Kim Zarraga is my old friend Sandy's little sister.  She was in a car accident with two of her babies...and she was in critical condition.  It left me trembling...and again, my heart went out to her, her kids, and the family.  This time though, it wasn't an article in the local paper, or a friend of a friend's.  She is Sandy's sister...an old friend who I grew up with!  God spoke to me this week...and it was loud and clear.  I pray for Kim to pull through...and please, pray for my friend's little sister, because she is also a wife, a mom, a daughter and an aunt...

And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. 

Gilbert K. Chesterton 

Parris Chona

Our weekly management meeting was in full swing when...Rihanna's Love the Way You Lie, blares from my blackberry...ooopppss, I forgot to switch to vibrate...it was 'home' and my daughter, Parris, was no doubt the person calling me.  Since she memorized my number, a couple of months ago, she has been calling me for everything and anything with no regard to where I might be...then again, she's only 7.  Sure enough, my husband calls me five minutes later...I text him "in a meeting whats up?" He replies..."parris asking if u took down her drawings."  I reply..."yes tell her they r next to china cabinet."  That's my Parris...she is insistent and ever-so curious about everything in the world.  She needs constant re-assurance, yet has such a strong and sassy personality.  

...she turned 7 on October 23, 2010

Wishes do come true

I am so proud to work for a company which not only cares about profits, but also, giving back to the community.  On November 7, DFS Galleria celebrated its 50th anniversary and as part of its celebration, the company is donating five percent of each store's sales for that day, to a charity of their choice.  Our galleria in Guam chose to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Of course there are many charities out there with such worthwhile cause, but I am so happy that our team chose Make-A-Wish as it is a charity that has helped my family tremendously.  

Five years ago, my husband's brother Anthony was diagnosed with a very rare type of cancer and had to seek medical attention in Hawaii.  He along with my parents-in-law spent many months in Hawaii while he was in treatment.  Anthony, although born in the mainland, grew up in Guam so he missed his family and friends too much.  It was then that Make-A-Wish came to the picture...Anthony wished to see his brothers and sisters and the foundation made it happen.  What an unforgettable experience my husband and his siblings had to be all together in Hawaii...and for this our family is forever grateful.  What a great cause the foundation has, for the many children dealt with such unfortunate cards...thank you Make-A-Wish and thank you DFS!

In memory of our dear brother Anthony Paul Fejeran...

Hello cyber world!

My name is Chade and I am mom to two little girls, and let me introduce you to my home...GUAM...beautiful isn't it?  This is where I live and work...and if you do it right, everyday is a vacay...