Friday Fave-- Pearl Shakes

The food here on island is fabulous!!! I've had Chamorro (local), Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai and Japanese... and will likely try more.

At the local Street Market (held on Thursday evenings), you can find most of these foods, arts and crafts and entertainment. My brother introduced me to the "Pearl Shake".

On the mainland, we'd consider them smoothies. I chose a fresh mango and strawberry one. So what are the "pearls", you ask? Well, they are actually black slimy balls of tapioca.

I was quite skeptical at first, but am determined to try (just about) everything on the island. And so far, I've liked most everything I've tried. The pearl shake was no exception. I've craved one since I had it on the first Thursday evening. And last night we got to chat with the owner of Champ's Shaved Ice and Pearl Shakes (Elbert) and even found out the family secret recipe for the way they prepare the pearls... mmmm!

(I chose not to try the stuffed squid here:)

What strange or good foods have you tried???

Wordless Wednesday

Friday Fave-- my new niece!

The only reason I'm really here on Saipan is because my brother and his beautiful wife Brittany are here and were blessed to have a baby.

My family wanted someone to be with them when baby "Coconut" arrived, and I was the lucky Auntie who got to make the trip. THANKS to my whole fam who made it possible!

Sweet Miss Hatley Elizabeth arrived almost 3 weeks early... so by the time I arrived Mommy and Daddy were pros. :) They're naturals-- and a super adorable little family.

So here's my Friday Fave (late) for May 22... this fabulous family who are hosting me for 12 days in Paradise!

Wordless Wednesday, for May 19

Fallen off the Face of the Earth

Hey there...  I really haven't fallen off the face of the earth.

I have, however, fallen off the mainland...

And am happily located here instead right now...

I'm taking some great photos. And I'm gonna try to share some stuff here soon!

Wordless Wednesday

More Information

Sometimes I wish I could add words to my Wordless Wednesday. Yesterday, that was the case. I had two ideas for my Wednesday post, but both needed "more info".

So, I posted one of my ideas at our family blog to share how we celebrated Cinco de Mayo. Hands down the best 5th of May celebration ever! It just might become a new tradition...

My other idea was the pic I did post here yesterday... me with my "new" camera!!!

My dream came true of having my cake and eating it too (i.e. travelling to Saipan and having a new fabulous camera to take with me). I've been saving my pennies to make the Saipan trip possible, but found it impossible to also save up enough for a new DSLR camera. But LUCKY ME... I have a great friend who had decided to sell hers, and I had just enough cash to take her up on it. A "new to me" camera!!!

It's a Nikon D40 with the 55-200mm lens. Wanna see the very first shot I took with it???

Wowzaa. Check out the clarity of the raindrops on the tulips!!! This is going to be fun. :)

I am looking at getting an 18-55mm lens before I leave so I can get some close up shots of my sweet newborn niece.

Do you have a DSLR? If so, what kind? What do you like about it and what would you change if you could???

Wordless Wednesday