Dear Conchlers,
Actually, it was hard times that led me to life on Guam. When layed-off back
in 2002, I decided to make something positive out of it. Life in California
was fine but I was ready for a change. So I returned to Guam (was stationed
here for three years in the 80s) and, with some luck and help from friends,
landed a job.
As Ellen states, flexibility goes a long ways. After working as an
engineering technician, I settled on a job working for the TSA. Putting it
kindly, the job was not very rewarding, but I was grateful to have it. I did
eventually find the type of job I was looking for, back into the technical
realm. So while the job satisfaction has improved, it also means less time
for diving and shelling. Go figure...I remain grateful :)
Hang in there Jim, things will get better.
So, going full circle Mike....as for shelling on Guam, it remains legal.
However, many of the prime shelling grounds are now within preserves and off
limits. Should you make it out this way, please feel free to contact me. For
those wondering, shelling is no longer permitted in the CNMI (Commonwealth
Northern Mariana Islands which includes Rota, Saipan and Tinian).
Regards,
Bob Abela
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From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Ellen Bulger
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 3:40 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] Palau/Yap/Guam
Jim,
I can empathize. I lost pretty much everything I had about four years ago.
Mostly I've been in survival mode and shelling is not something I can afford
to do. Diving? Doesn't seem like something I'll get to do again. Now the
whole world seems to be following my lead. This is not the kind of
trendsetting I care to do.
However, I can tell you, as hard as it gets, and it gets very hard, it does
get better. And a big part of it becoming better is learning to become very
flexible and to go with the flow. When one can't hop on a plane to
Eleuthera, one focuses on the biodiversity at hand.
Don't let the anxiety chew you up, that's the worst. There are things that
sustain, even when times are tough. If one is still capable of love, of
altruism, and of learning, well there's always hope. And the hard times are
when we really grow. My experience led me back to school, to biology. How
cool is that? I hope your tough times yield something for you and your
family that you all find just as precious.
Good luck, good luck,
and remember your scuba zen: exhale deeply!
Ellen
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On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 12:14 AM, Jim Miller <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
Hi Mike,
I guess you were not laid off, otherwise how could you afford trips like
these? I just lost my job 3 1/2 weeks ago and I am trying not to panic.
Margo was in a bad car accident and it was her fault. Essentially, with
depreciation, our insurance paid off the $7,200 we still owed on the car and
we had to go buy another car. It's like we threw all that money away (we
bought the Subaru Forester in late 2004).
Take care (and find me a big triton!)
Jim
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On Feb 6, 2009, at 8:13 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote:
Hi,
Has anyone heard whether it is legal to collect shells in Palau, Guam or
Yap? Thanks again for any help.
Aloha,
Mike Schenk
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