Life Lately: Burnt out but still going

Aug 18, 2020 | Journal, Lifestyle, Moments

Been a hottt lil minute since I had a chance to get on here and share a life update. July was a busier than expected month for me, and I can barely believe that it’s already mid-August?! Wild.

Between my full time job, freelance work, social life, “thriving” social media presence for work and self, PLUS my self care couch potato time *foreshadowing here*, I’ve been burning out. I was really hoping to blog my weekly Plastic Free July updates, and all the photo sessions I’ve been taking over the last few months, but that fell off real quick when my work schedule picked up. I even dropped the ball on a project I committed to—drafting a book design for a travel guide—and I felt really bad about my dwindling motivation and time management, so I re-prioritized and got it done.

The to-do list never ends. And I’m not mad about it. I’m just losing steam. This loco-motive is in desperate need of a vacay; some time away to recharge.

I live in paradise, so working from home—slow mornings, settled routines, and jumping in the ocean for lunch—has been a great deal of help. But I got a case of wanderlust and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a trip to Manu’a in the near future.

A few highlights of my life lately though:

I got a new couch! — *see I told you, foreshadowing* On the tag, it said it’s an L-shape chaise sleeper, so it can be converted from a couch into a full size bed. It’s the perfect size for our little home, and I’ve been stationed here most days lately with my bamboo lap desk and reading pillow for working on my laptop, or watching Netflix with my guy.

Finding rest and loving it — And while I know I said I’ve been uber busy, I’ve also been maxin’ my relaxin’ as much as I can. If the pandemic taught me one thing, it’s that there is never enough time in the world to do it all right now, so be kind to your mind and body, and do whatever it is that keeps you going. Can’t stay motivated if you are burnt out all the time!

Landed a new web design project — I’ve briefly mentioned this in a previous blog post, but I’ve made some changes to how I’m running my web design projects and I’m excited to have landed a sweet gig to keep me busy, active, and honing my skills. I generally only take one or two projects on each year so I can dedicate my time to each client since I have to do all this work in my spare time, when I’m not smashed with work at my full time job.

Plastic Free July — I truly meant to be better and share my daily updates, but alas, I was only able to post about my first week of the challenge. I did take photos on my phone that I’ll eventually get around to posting, but for now, all I can say is that it was pretty chill. There were definitely some fails, especially when it came to food and groceries, but it was a good way to reinforce my habits, and take stock in my plastic consumption again.

Dry July — On top of going plastic free in July, I also decided to go the entire month without alcohol. It wasn’t for any specific reason either. I just wanted to give it a try. And it was super easy. I didn’t crave a drink at all, except towards the end of the month when I was stressing about work stuff, and wanted to wine down (pun intended) with a cold bevvy. But yeah, it was cool otherwise.

Videos — The newest episode of PBS Changing Seas came out in early July featuring National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa and the various resource management agency partners, and I am stoked to be able to say I was a part of it! Back in October or November of last year, I pitched the episode idea to our office’s research coordinator, and she helped guide the direction and inform with research, and we sent it off to our headquarters media person, and got word from the South Florida PBS executive producer that we were selected for an episode! I helped with some logistics, and welcomed the film team back in February… literally just after the island’s measles epidemic, and just before 3 hurricanes came through, and of course COVID happened… it was a miracle it all worked out and they got a good weather window too. Anyhow, the show was amazing and I highly encourage you to watch it and get a sense of my beautiful island home and a bit of the science and research being done here to protect our natural resources. On another similar but unrelated note, I filmed a 20+ minute Get Into Your Sanctuary video program that turned out better than I expected. It took me and my coworkers 3 weeks to film, edit, schedule, and share the video on social media and I was so happy when it premiered live and the engagement was through the roof. Video work is new in my arsenal as I’ve always only been a still photo type of person, but I dig it and who knows, maybe if I upgrade my laptop’s RAM, I can get into more video work.

Hmm yeah, there’s probably more but honestly I’m tired. It’s 1am, and I’ve been forcing myself to stay up so I can finally post a blog update. And my eyes are drooping… so don’t mind any typos, and till next time!

xo,

Nerelle

Dad turns 60!

Jun 16, 2020 | Journal, Photo Diaries

My dad turned 60!! On Sunday, our church family surprised him with lunch, cake, random singing, and lots of fun and hilarious games. It was really nice to see him being celebrated by such a loving community. They even projected a really sweet video compilation from many other church members who had moved to other countries, wishing my dad a happy birthday and recounting their memories together. On Monday, Ian and I brought more cake and food over for dinner and enjoyed quality time with my dad and mom at their home. We had a great time talking stories about all the crazy things they did while growing up in the Philippines! I’m so glad I finally get to spend more time with them… I am feeling exceptionally blessed that our family can still find our health and safety intact, and that we are surrounded by love and warmth.

He’s nacho average dad. He’s got all the qualicheese that make him the best dad in the world, and taco bout 60 – he just gets cheddar with age! I’m so blessed with such a grate dad! Love you, and happy birthday🎂

Throwback Thursday: Remember MySpace surveys? 34 Q’s

Mar 27, 2020 | Journal, Lifestyle

Ok, MAJOR THROWBACK incoming!

Who remembers MySpace surveys?!

I sure do. I would stay up all night reading surveys my friends filled out, then I’d copy and paste the survey, fill it out, and post it on the bulletin. It was so exciting when your crush did your surveys, because you knew he/she read it, and I’m pretty sure that was the very subtle start of internet dating for my generation!

I saw this tweet a few days ago, and retweeted so fast because I totally understood and longed for those simple days when the Internet felt new (we had just graduated from the “ooh wahh ooh eeeeeeee di deeeeee” sound of dial up internet connection. And I’d feel like a little tech genius when I’d customize my layout with HTML code. That’s actually what inspired me do web design!

Anyhow, on to my survey below…

34 questions I got from the internet, and answers by meeee.

1. Who is your last text from? From Traci; she lives next door and I heard her sneezing 3x in a row so I texted her and she was like you can hear me?! lol yes woman

2. Where was your default picture taken? Well, my DP on instagram was taken at Toaga beach in Ofu, Man`a

3. Your current relationship status (married or not)? Soon to be married! Supposed to get married spring 2020 but instead, this pandemic got me filling out MySpace era surveys and postponing my wedding to next year 🙁

4. Does your crush like you back? I think it’s highly probable

5. What is your current mood? Better than earlier today. I feel cozy and relaxed.

6. What’s your mom’s name? Elaine

7. What color shirt are you wearing? Lavender robe

8. If you could go back in time and change something, would you? No regrets here (that I can think of)

9. Do you like drinking tea? Yes, matcha tea/latte with oat milk is flavor of choice

10. Ever had a near death experience? Yes definitely. Almost drowned in a pool when I was in 7th grade, and I jumped out of an airplane in 2014 and I felt safe but definitely gives you a near death experience.

11. Something you do a lot? These days, a lot more snapping photos and blogging, and I’m v happy about it

12. Who can you tell anything to? Ian or Gabby

13. Name someone with the same birthday as you? My first cousin! He was born the exact same day as me, just like half an hour apart, but my mom gave birth to me here at LBJ in American Samoa, and my cousin was born in the Philippines. I forget who’s older, me or him…

14. When was the last time you cried? Today. I was feeling a bit emotional.

15. How many people have you kissed? Gosh if cheeks and babies count, I have no idea. If we’re talking romantically, you don’t need to know, but it’s really not a lot

16. If you could be one super hero, who would it be? I’m kind of tired of superhero movies so I don’t know who’s who anymore, but as a kid I liked Wonder Woman, oh and any of the PowerPuff Girls!

17. What’s the first thing you notice about the opposite/same sex? Opposite – their personality and style, like how they carry themselves and the energy they exude. Same – facial features probably (wow does this mean I’m shallow)

18. What do you usually order from starbucks? I don’t really order coffees out, I prefer to make my own. But if I was in an airport and needed some caffeine, a matcha latte with oat milk.

19. What’s your biggest secret? It wouldn’t be a secret anymore now would it

20. Favorite color? The green blue of my fiancé’s eyes, they change with the lighting but each hue is my favorite.

21. Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows? Yep, gotta love the pixar classics

22. What are you eating or drinking at the moment? Water

23. Do you speak any other language? Very very very elementary tagalog and samoan… hmm, maybe kindergarten level actually.

24. What’s your favorite smell? Clean laundry, or patchouli, orrrr whatever delicious yummy just came out of the oven

25. Describe your life in one word. What would it be? Blessed

26. Have you ever kissed in the rain? Yes

27. What are you thinking about right now? Gabby, who just flew in tonight and texted me that she’s in a quarantine facility now for the next 14 days, poor thing! I hope it’s comfortable and clean, and she does ok there. She’s being positive, but I know I would be so upset if I had to stay in a tiny closeted cot for 2 weeks.

28. What should you be doing? Sleeping, which I’ll do right after I finish reliving my tween myspace survey days!

29. Who was the last person that made you upset/angry? I’ve been home quarantined for 14 days, so maybe Ian? But I don’t think he has actually… we’ve been thriving even in isolation. That’s probably how you know it’s meant to be.

30. Who was the last person you kissed? Ian

31. Do you like working in the yard? Not really. I like working on my balcony garden though.

32. If you could have any last name in the world, what would it be? Moffitt, because he’s the greatest, and his family is awesome

33. Do you act differently around the person you like? Nope, I’m myself with him. I act differently around everyone else.

34. What is your natural hair color? Black

Life Lately: My birthday, Ian’s home, Yodi’s heart worms, and Coronavirus

Mar 14, 2020 | Journal, Lifestyle

It’s been a little while since my last life lately update. Everything has unfolded just so in the last few months since 2020 rolled around, and let me just say, what the heck 2020?! I was expecting 2020, the new decade, to bring something big, but what I didn’t expect was that 2020 would bring a big crazy global event.

For now, here’s just a few updates of life lately:

My birthday is coming up! For me, birthdays are always an excellent time to reflect upon personal progress. Making a list of things to move the needle farther. It’s also a great time to take stock in my feelings and pulse check that everything is going to be okay, because it really is going to be okay. Sometimes I just gotta reinforce that in my life. I’m not necessarily a worrier, but I do worry sometimes and there’s a lot happening in the world that does make me nervous. More on that later. I don’t have any specific birthday plans yet, but I’m just glad my fiancé is back on island to spend it with me.

Ian’s back home! When the coronavirus travel advisory came out for American Samoa, I was shattered to know Ian would have to do an additional two weeks in Hawai`i to quarantine. After the advisory came out though, and unfortunately for Hawai`i, there was a confirmed case of COVID-19 on Oahu. In a scramble to get AS residents back home safely, our government issued a new travel advisory which removed the 14 day mandatory quarantine in Hawai`i, and instead returning residents were subject to 14-day home quarantine. So he arrived back home just a couple of days ago, and I’m so happy he’s here! I missed him so much while he was gone. He keeps me calm and centered, and I feel more relaxed to have him home safely.

Yodi is almost done with her heart worm meds! In case you didn’t know, Yodi wasn’t always our pup. She was born here at Coconut Point to a family that lived next door. When the family moved away and left her here, she became kind of a community dog and we all collectively cared for her. But then puppy paw-litics played out and she started getting aggressive to maintain her turf, her territory. At one point, she almost bit a visitor and it was decided that she needed a home, and that’s when Ian and I adopted Yodi. She was about 3 years old at that point. She was healthy, but we knew she had heart worms because she would have random coughing bouts. We’d been wanting to get her treated earlier but it was scary to think that her quality of life would decline during the medication period, and she could still die from it. Plus, we didn’t have a qualified vet on island anymore, so we just made sure to give her the best life we could. Thankfully, one of my favorite nonprofit groups, Coconut Mutts, was able to sponsor our friend who is a vet to come down, and we were able to get her the proper shots and medication. During this time, we have to limit Yodi’s physical exertion as much as possible, and it’s been slow going but we’re almost there. Just a few more days actually before we can start reintroducing her to high activity, and she’ll be able to go swimming with us again soon.

Now about the Coronavirus… it is crazy and I feel like it’s changing the world in so many ways. People are more aware of their health. Economies and industries are toppling. People are dying. Travel is slowing. But also, the environment is working on healing. True colors are being shown. People are slowing down. I honestly don’t know how to articulate yet how I feel about this global pandemic. I am fortunate to feel safe from it all as of now.

There’s a really great post on instagram by @thegreylayers that got me in my feels. She wrote:

“I can’t help but think about all that’s going on in the world. Maybe the world is trying to tell us to go back inward. Maybe our earth isn’t trying to slap us in the face. Perhaps it’s an awakening shake to put us in order. A correction in our own values. maybe because we’ve forgotten and just lost our way too maybe times. Maybe mother is saying, “you’ve lost your way too far from home.” We are literally being forced to stop and slow down by the force greater than all of us. Reminding us we are nothing but human at the end of the day. Let’s take this leisurely stagnance as a time of reflection. To think about what kind of world we want to live in. What kind of person you want to be. All along, our earth has been quietly telling us to take these crises as signs of opportunity. For us to stop and be better. To actually think of what matters. For us to be good again. For us to come home. And remember, not everyone is built for isolation, call your friends, your parents. Check in.”

Jeanne Grey

Grey Layers

Snaps: Aunu`u

Feb 7, 2020 | Journal, Moments

Green and blue scenes around Aunu`u island. Snapped while on a work site visit in August 2019.

Hindsight in 2020 (Looking back at 2019)

Jan 16, 2020 | Journal, Lifestyle

Written by

The end of a decade and the beginning of a new year are a good time to reflect upon one’s life. I’m slowly combing through my journals and photo archives, and digging up my favorite memories of 2019 to share here.

To preface, 2019 was an incredible year for me. I’m truly so thankful to have been in the right place at the right time all these years, even though I’ve made a ton of mistakes along the way, just because it all led me here.

These were the highlights of my year.

January

My year started off on a good note. I rang in the new year on Ofu island Ian, his parents, and a couple of good friends. I sat in the back of a pickup truck for the countdown, banging on drums and wishing all a happy new year. I hiked to the top of Mt. Tumu to marvel at the best view of the Manu`a islands. I went snorkeling almost every single day and took photos of fish and coral, trying to ID them. I missed my flight back to Tutuila… on purpose, because of the government shutdown. I took an `alia boat to Ta`u. This was also the month I picked up crocheting again, I invested in my sleep, and endured my first furlough. Despite the longest government shutdown in US history, I took advantage of the time away from my desk to explore my underwater environment and spend quality time with Ian, our family, and our friends.

February

February is always short and sweet (like me, hahah). I took this month slow, and savored many sunsets from the balcony. We boarded up our windows and waited out a storm. It was a month of extra date nights, and I fully took advantage of Valentine’s Day to show my boyfriend (now my fiance) some love, and eat all the food at a seafood buffet!

A memorable day. And a harbinger from before we decided to host our wedding in Samoa.

March

This was a busy month for me, working on one of my biggest projects to date, coordinating and designing an exhibit at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center for the inaugural Fautasi Heritage Symposium. Amidst all the busy work, I celebrated my 27th year of life doing some of my favorite things for my birthday weekend, like: went on a hike straight after work to camp on the beach with a great group of people, got on a boat with more friends to watch a ridiculously funny movie, spent an evening with my best girlfriends, enjoyed a luncheon that my coworkers planned in my favor, booked a couples massage that a dear friend gifted to me, and was surprised to come home and see all my neighbors gathered together for a surprise party for me! I felt like the luckiest gal to be surrounded by such amazing humans. March was also the month I took on a new web design client, helped a friend navigate her hotel’s sustainability actions, joined my first book club, went cliff jumping despite being a complete scaredy-cat, helped plan a friend’s surprise baby shower, and somehow managed to not crash after all the long nights.

April

If March was busy with many things, April was busy with just one major thing, and that was seeing my project through successfully. After hundreds of hours of research and design, my first exhibit was opened to the public, and the symposium went smoothly overall. Also in April, I watched the 119th Flag Day commemoration event from the grandstands, got to board a cruise ship fast kine for a buffet lunch, watched one of the most controversial fautasi races of my time, enjoyed the fireworks display over the harbor, bought a new camera, and went to Virginia on a work trip and networked with a bunch of rad science communicators.

May

American Samoa is my home forever, but a piece of my heart lives in Arizona. I flew over to spend a couple short days with my siblings and my growing-too-fast niece and nephew, and my heart expands every time. I returned home and slowed my roll for the month of May to let life do its thing. There’s a special day in May that Ian and I celebrate our anniversary, and this was our 5th year together since our cute awkward first date. We summited Mt. Alava just as the sun was setting, and then Ian asked me a very important question and offered me a ring, and I said yes to both! We camped up there with our Yodi girl, and I hiked down the next day as a fiancé.

June

This month, one of my best friends got engaged, I celebrated my dad, and Ian and I went on our first fiancé bae-cation, aka the trip I thought I would be propositioned on haha. Ian and I skipped the international date line and spent some ‘you me, me you’ time in Samoa. We explored Auckland a bit, and got to hang with one of my best girlfriends and her brand new baby girl. The highlight of my month though was traveling around French Polynesia with Ian and his parents. We island hopped across Tahiti and Raiatea by plane, and then moved into a swanky catamaran and sailed to Taha`a; snorkeling, dinghy riding, and eating our way through the mara`amu season on the leeward islands.

July

July was another highlight month for me in 2019. Our French Polynesia adventures continued with sailing and snorkeling around picturesque little motus; I learned how natural saltwater pearls are formed, and bought my own from the source; we got to watch the incredible Heiva i Tahiti from the grandstands; and took a ferry to Mo`orea where we scootered around the island twice; swam with reef sharks and stingrays; and booked a scuba dive tour for me, Ian, and Rick, and saw huge sharks! Back home, my adventures continued with another work trip–this time, I was invited to join the Ocean Exploration Trust’s E/V Nautilus research expedition to map and explore the vast deep sea in our national marine sanctuary waters. I was stoked to be on there to assist with communications as a local rep, and even more excited to have Ian on the research cruise too as an NPS scientist, along with my friends and colleagues who are scientists as well at NMSAS and DMWR/CRAG. On the Nautilus, we connected with a worldwide audience of thousands of people who watched the live-stream 24/7. I got to see Swains Island for the very first time. Ian and I met Dr. Robert Ballard, who discovered hydrothermal vents and found the long-lost Titanic. Oh, and I got to bunk in Dr. Ballard’s state cabin! I gained a lot of new knowledge and a deeper (pun intended) appreciation for ROV technology, live telepresence streams, and deep sea exploration. I was on the cruise for 5 days on the open ocean, and a major win for me was that I didn’t get seasick! It was a memorable experience I will never forget.

August

I worked on balancing work and fun in August. Looking through my gratitude journal entries, there were many thoughtful little moments sprinkled throughout the month. Some highlights were finding peace on reset days, collecting a clean air sample at the NOAA Tula Observatory (American Samoa is the baseline for clean air in the US), rockin’ it at karaoke with friends, girl time, hearing stories of life from my Samoan elder’s eyes, narrowly surviving a waterfall flash flood, losing my iPhone at the waterfall, then going back a week later to find it still alive somehow in my LifeProof case, getting asked to be a LifeProof brand ambassador, and traveling to Samoa for a weekend to tour potential wedding venues.

September

Right after our trip, Ian and I decided on our wedding venue. I upgraded to a new iPhone and repped LifeProof hard. Then took it easy for the rest of the month, spending more time in the water, lots more movie nights in bed, and channeling good energy from my fiance, friends, and family.

The push and pull of the water is normal. If you get caught under, stay close to the light, hold your breath, and you’ll surface to a breath of fresh air.

October

Started October inquisitively in attendance at the first TEDx Pago Pago. I cheered for my sister who landed a new job, and for my brother who was scheduled to graduate at the end of the year. And from there, I booked my travel to PHX and LA to visit them in December. I got back into my yoga practice. Got a little seasick on a beautiful day out on the water, then napped for 14 hours straight. Celebrated White Sunday with lots of food. Did some crafts. Enjoyed a little staycation day with Ian. Watched a live comedy show for a girls night out. Designed a photo book. Dressed up as a raving unicorn for Halloween. Got really sick for a few days and Dr. Ian nursed me back to health. But then he had to leave for yet another work trip, so there were definitely some funky days.

November

November was much better if only because my best friend moved in next door, so you can imagine I was over at her house a bunch. At work, I was super busy with planning our annual fishing tournament, which turned out great. I got to see a friend get married in court. Spent some quality time with my parents. Did more photo shoots this month than I had done all year. Listened to island jazz live. Brunched on the balcony almost every weekend. I shared Thanksgiving with Ian and my parents, then shared my parents with their extended church families who showed up in full force and not a seat was empty in the house. This month flew by in a hurry, but I am grateful to end it with family.

December

Started December with a 30-day yoga challenge (and only made it halfway through because of travels). I bought my wedding dress online on Cyber Monday (hahah). I made the decision so fast, it was in the spur of the moment of all things; but I’m so excited for it. I helped plan a surprise party for my best friend. I shot a raw and risqué lifestyle portrait session that I’m proud of. I traveled to Sedona and Phoenix to be with family for Christmas. Thanks to my sister, we had the most memorable and most cheesy family Christmas that included matching pajamas, a cabin in Sedona, a trip to the Grand Canyon, hot cider by the fireplace, board games, many rounds of pool, a ton of food, a tree in every room of the house, and presents getting opened way before midnight. I cherished every moment with my niece and nephew. December was also the month that I got my hair professionally done. I hung out with my bestie from college and met her fiancé finally. I met a whole ‘nother side of Ian’s family that live in Arizona. Flew to LA, and had a second Christmas with Ian’s parents (we even did the whole matching pajamas thing too). Hung out with a bunch of Ian’s friends. Went to a wedding dress fitting, just because it was so fun. Met up with friends from the island now living in the big city. Ian and I picked out our wedding bands! Went shopping with Ian’s mom. Cuddled with Ian every night in his old twin bed. And rang in the new year with a kiss!

Now that it’s 2020, I’m looking forward to my next chapter. Most especially, I’m beyond excited to celebrate my love for Ian surrounded by all the people we care most about. Plus, I’m working on myself this year, to be the best version of me in mind, body, and spirit.

If you’re reading this, thank you so much for following along on my journey. I hope your year ahead is something special. Now on to the next big adventure!

Warmly,
Nerelle