IN this year of discontent (which makes it like any other year), it has come to our attention that despite the high cost of living, breathing remains popular.
Which shouldn’t be surprising. We’re on a stunning tropical island full of smiling, happy people, even if their jobs are not federally funded.
On that modestly cheerful note, here’s a piece of advice that many of us should take to heart on this special day:
Always take life with a grain of salt. And a slice of lemon. And a shot of tequila.
Here then is the 29th edition of Marianas Variety’s absolutely fabulous annual Thanksgiving list, the items of which, as usual, are listed in no particular order:
1) Candy Feliciano says, “I am thankful for days that I am full. Thanks to Cha, for their salted caramel macchiatos and chocolate croissant, for 360 Revolving Restaurant for their sandwiches, to Judy’s Restaurant Café for their Spam and corned beef breakfast, to Zaabder Thai Restaurant for their pork belly, McDonald’s for their McChicken, to Subway for their tuna footlongs, Pizza Hut and their Pepperoni/extra cheese pan, and to Caravan for their shawarma. Thankful for all the sunshine brought by my Lex. Thanks to my family, especially to my mom who still gives me 40 dollars every two weeks, and to my sister Karen for all the cars I get to use.”
2) Andrew Roberto is “thankful for my children who I love with all my heart; my partner Marilyn Webber; my father and mother Andres and Dorothy Roberto; my in-laws Lee Webber Sr. and June Webber; my siblings Joshua, Aiyisha, Austin, and their kids, as well as my youngest brother Jeremiah.”
3) Andrew is also “thankful for my dogs and the roof over my head. I’m thankful we got spared from Mawar. I’m thankful to live and work on my home island. I’m thankful for Koblerville. I’m thankful to be a reporter, which is a job I love to do. I’m thankful for cans of Monster, Bang, and Celsius, which power my articles. I’m thankful the Rotary Club of Saipan is a really cool organization. I’m thankful for Gold’s Gym. I’m thankful for Peter and Emma Perez, Master Navigator Mario Benito, Master Navigator Cecelio Raiukiulipiy, ‘Sakman’ Mario Borja, Andrea Carr, Yuko Sharry, Junior Coleman and his wife Mahana, Kuen Hee Han, Sanjo Maras, Steve Marron and everyone in my 500 Sails familia (can’t list you all, that’s a lot of people LOL). I’m thankful to have a sound mind and body. I’m thankful this island enjoys relative peace.”
4) James Sablan is “thankful for waking up every day. I’m especially thankful to my girlfriend, Dana, who always supports me and gives me a reason to smile; my mom for always having my back no matter what the circumstances along with my auntie Monching and Rosalie and tito Ye and tita Jovz; to Marianas Variety for giving me the opportunity to share my stories with the community as a sports writer — I love my job; and to every sports organization and every single individual who has helped me along the way. I’m thankful to everyone I’ve met along the way and being able to do what I love all in this small gem in the middle of the ocean that I call home.”
5) Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano “wholeheartedly thanks the entire Marianas Variety family, my own Jeanette and Johana, my sons John Baron, John Yuri, Manuelito John, John Gabriel and grandson Remiel. Also thank you to my mom, Montserrat, brother Manuel, sisters, Alma, Mayette and Arlynn. Thanks a lot for everything, Variety editor Zaldy and family Che, Zoe and Miguel. Thank you, kumpares and kumares: Glenna, OB, Rita Sablan, Irene Holl, Maryann Borja, Uly, Criselda and Jun, and ninong Wendel Posadas and ninang Paula Bermudes. Thank you, Discover, Bank of Guam, Sunleader Corp., Franco, Green Meadow School, Madam Mila, American Red Cross-NMI, John Hirsh; friends in politics, Lt. Gov. David Apatang, CPA board of directors, Claudio Norita, Paul Manglona, Legislature, Jessica Tomokane, Doris Bermudes, NMI Democrats, AD Team, Republicans, and businesses — Joe and Marcia Ayuyu and family, Kinpachi, Misako San and Sonia, Kuya Gary of Sunny Side, Mr. Kim, Elegance, Chowtime, Triple J., Mobil Oil, Twins Market, Rotary Club, Wendell Posadas, M2 Fitness, Mary Grace, NMIFA, Andrew Orsini, Judge Lizama, Kagman Health Center, CHCC, Esther Muna, CPA, Kim King-Hinds, Chris Tenorio, CCC, Ruth Sakisat, Maria B. Salas, San Antonio Church, Center for Messianic Learning, Father Arman Hagos, Nikon, Star Carwash, Eco Laundry, Mr. Kim, Mr. Jonathan Joo, One Stop Laundry, Joe-ten, Town House, National Office Supply, I Love Saipan, Bourbon Bar, Yewon Restaurant, Lohas Massage, San Jose Mart.”
6) Bryan Manabat says there are “so many things to be thankful for. I’m thankful that my daughter Maria Elena Manabat gave birth recently to our granddaughter without complications and she is doing good. Ha’ani Talyana Manabat Taitano came out strong and loud. Thank you to my aunts and uncles and their families for hosting my family during our vacation in California. I’m thankful for the general good health of my family. I’m very thankful to my wife, Serrine, who is a steady anchor through thick and thin. My children: Sebastien, Brandon, Isabel, Keziah, Alejandra who are my pride and joy. I’m thankful that my eldest daughter, Riannalyn is making a life of her own with Jonavan; and their children Amaiyah and Adrian Jorray. I’m thankful to my father, Mateo, who has been patient with me. My mother, Elvira, who still checks on me; my siblings Gomer, Keziah, and Chris who are always supportive and helpful in their own ways despite the distance. I’m thankful to Marianas Variety for giving me a job, our boss Amier, his wife Jenny. Thankful to Zaldy, MV editor, for catching errors and editing my work; also, for the tips and coverage assignments. Thankful to MV staffers, Friday night sessions gang: Bino, Steven, Julius, Mike, and Edmund. I am very thankful that I live in Saipan, CNMI.”
7) the people of the CNMI
8) electricity
9) CUC
10) CHCC, health clinics
11) Ocean Star Restaurant, Canton Restaurant, J’s, Shirley’s, D’ Elegance, Aqua Resort buffet, Kensington buffet, Caravan of Food
12) U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
13) Spotify
14) YouTube
15) Taebo
16) Alma of Jizg Barber Shop & Beauty Salon
17) To the hardworking people of MV’s editorial, art, administration, sales, production, accounting and circulation departments — bravo, biba and thank you ever so much.
17) zd says thank you Abed, Paz, Amier, Jenny, Laila, Lawrence, Banny, Farah, Suaad and Salam.
18) Mar-Vic, who came up with this list 28 years ago, Joe and the kids.
19) MV’s peerless proofreaders: Virgie Avendaño-Woodruff of Guam and Joyce McClure of New York
20) Ulysses Sabuco Torres — the man, the legend, the papa
21) Pacific Island Times
22) The Guam Daily Post
23) Brenda & Fred
24) Bruce Mailman and Maya Kara, the Mailman & Kara, LLC staff
25) Bob the cat
26) cat food, cat treats, cat litter
27) Joeten stores
28) Miguel, Zoe & Chéché
29) Twins Supermarket
30) LJ’s Store
31) John and Gloria Sablan
32) JG Sablan Ice & Water
33) Northern Marianas Sports Association
34) PSS/BOE, NMC
35) Galvin, Velma and their children
36) Courtney’s Plaza, Torres Refrigeration, Dante & Josie
37) B&R Auto Repair
38) Steve Nutting & family
39) Gold’s Gym
40) Mike Ernest & family
41) Judge Ken Govendo & family
42) Judge Joe Camacho & family
43) Nick Pichay
44) “The Bear,” “Shrinking,” “The Great,” “Winning Time,” “Billions”
45) Ate Carol, Kuya Danny, Gio, Vince & family
46) Beret Strong, John Tweedy and children
47) Walt FJ Goodridge
48) Rita and Frank Sablan
50) Sonnie Sablan and Inas’ Kitchen
51) JKPL and its staff
52) Jeff Schorr and family
53) Jeff Turbitt and family
54) Brad Ruszala and family
55) Don Farrell and family
56) Noriyasu Hiroguchi and family
57) Charles P. Reyes Jr., Esq.
58) Daisy, George and Jordan
59) Bobby and Karen Myers and their kids
60) Matthew Deleon Guerrero and family
61) Kevin Bautista & family
62) Javier Milei won!
63) Clannad’s “Legend,” Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin’s “Hush,” The Manhattan Transfer’s “Mecca for Moderns,” Sting’s “Nothing Like the Sun,” Edie Brickell & New Bohemians’ “Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars,” Cowboy Junkies’ “The Trinity Session,” Al Jarreau’s “This Time,” The Smiths’ “Panic,” The The’s “This is the Day,” Michael Franks’ “When She is Mine,” Merci Molina’s “Never Never, Never,” F. Schubert’s “Swan Song,” Erik Satie’s “Gymnopédies,” Nicola Matteis’ “Ground after the Scotch Humour,” Joey Ayala’s “Magkabilaan,” Tux’s “Labing-Labing,” 17:28’s “Sukob Na,” Pearl Jam’s “Present Tense”
64) amazon.com
65) Kindle
66) Chummie & Virginia Ogerio
67) chess.com
68) IT&E
69) Docomo Pacific
70) Merci Molina
71) Jim and Grace Belyea
72) Angelo and Edz
73) Gloria Hunter and family
74) Donna Cruz and family
75) Pete P. Reyes and family
76) Diego & Vicky Benavente
77) Arin Greenwood
78) Congressman Kilili and family
79) Rep. Edwin Propst and family
80) Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and family
81) Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang and family
82) Robert T. Torres and family
83) Pacifica Insurance and Shirley Sablan
84) Triple J Payless SuperFresh & Truckload Store
85) Saipan Chamber of Commerce
86) Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant”
87) vehicles
88) Kuya Abelardo Hall of Fame
89) NMTech
90) tourism industry
91) a market-based economy
92) Vir, Alice and Josh
93) Lee, Vicky DLG and their children
94) Pale Ike Ayuyu
95) To old friends and former comrades-in-arms: Raffy A., Ferdie, Rick A., Jojo, Gemma, Haidee, Rene, Moneth, Choobs, Lyn, K-Andrea, Jon P., Alexie Z., Jacq, Aggie, Jude, Junhan, Racquel B., Richelle, Fil Olimpo, Flor Pamintuan, Rhony Laigo, Dong Camacho, Eileen Oreiro, Chau Nguyen, Chris Nelson, Carlotta Leon Guerrero, Glenn Wakai, Bob Coldeen, Tammy Doty, Sophia Perez
96) Thank you MV editorial/digital team: Arnold, Bryan, James Sablan, Candy, Andrew R., Sean Ignacio
97) Thank you pareng Makoy, Jess G. & family, Sally, Osang, Lisa Cruz & family, Tekya, Prof, Talits, Loids, Ariel & Khalil, Vino & family, Tere & family, Arsen & family, Mama Gaya, Lala, Jayden, Rey, Niño and family, George M. & family, Jeanette & daughter Joanna, Bob Schwalbach, Joy, Ella, Bhadjoe
98) Nick Joaquin’s “Rizal in Saga”
99) Boris Pasternak’s “Doctor Zhivago”
100) Kurt Landsberger’s biography of William Steinitz
101) MV readers, contributors, advertisers, and you.