Advent and getting ready for Christmas!

#Advent is upon us!

These first few days have been busy ones 

and I am very happy 

that we started it right with Mass and lighting of the first Advent candle of #HOPE.

I also started my nobena for the 

Immaculate Conception November 30 and ends on December 8th, 

the Blessed Mother's Feast day

our island's patron saint feast day,

Santa Marian Kamalen.

Wishing everyone, near and far, manamko and children a blessed Advent season.

HOW TO SAVOR ADVENT

Seek reconciliation.  

Focus on good deeds.

Create and "Advent Chain".  

Participate in a Giving Tree.

Volunteer your time.  

Create your own Jesse tree.

Make homemade gifts for each person 

in your family.

Living Life to the Fullest!

#November blessings!
Favorite people include #MaryDavis, author of #EveryDaySpirit.  I love her thoughtful quotes that seem to touch me in a special way and guides me to reflect on my personal goings on each time I read one of her posts.  Some days, it's as if she is speaking to me directly and it's just what I needed in that moment!  I also tribute these to my sweetest Jesus, for every blessing, and who knows what I need each moment of my life.

I have many, many #favoritepeople who I am so grateful for and love to the moon and back.  My hubby, Henry Dean Tydingco Dela Cruz, my siblings, Christine Margaret Flores-Dela Cruz/TINA, Laverne Roslyn Flores/VERNE, +Vincent Mark Flores/BOBOY, Mary Elizabeth Flores/MARE, and Timothy Bryan Flores/TIM... their partners and children are also very special to me in one way or another, and of course, my extended family members!  So many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and our beautiful #Godchildren!

Victoria Santos McDonald, RIA/TORI, 

Lauren Flores Martinez/NANI, 

Garrett John Badajos, 

Paulina Catherine Richards, 

Dominique Pilar Flores/BABY/NIKKI

Jonathan Jude Flores/JON, 

Jesusenta Cruz Rojas/SENTA, 

Tiffany Ann Leilani Flores Mesa/TIPPERLY, and 

Chasitie Reyes/CHAS.

#IAMBLESSED!

November is a favorite month. Simply because it falls during the autumn season.  While I am an island girl, I do love this special season!  Cooler temps, beautiful flaming colors, and pumpkin patches!  Things slow down and it's a time for reflection and thoughtful consideration of the year coming to a close, a new one coming upon us, and #Thanksgiving & #Christmas arrives and we focus on family and friends and all of our blessings. #partytime! 

When you are not sure what to do:  

KEEP CALM AND BE CRAZY, 

#LAUGH, #LOVE AND #LIVE IT UP 

BECAUSE THIS IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE BEEN 

AND THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVERY BE AGAIN.

As we enjoy November and thanksgiving meals with loved ones, I wish you joy in your heart, good food in your tummy, and love that only your special ones can give you.

Abiding in love,

Photos belong to their original owners; found on Pinterest.com or shared with me by family & friends.  

Make your favorite time of the week all about you

Hafa adai islanders!

#Self-care.  We hear a lot about this nowadays.  Our mothers and grandmothers took care of everyone else and lived well.  But... with all the things vying for our attention in today's high tech world, we stretch ourselves too thin. Give yourself permission to make time for self-care.

#LittleThingsMatter.  Schedule some ME time at least once a week. Even better, how about 30 minutes each day?  30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening?  Everything you accomplish, big and small, matters and makes a world of difference in our little worlds.  Your partner and kids, those precious grandkids, and the world around you will benefit in a huge way when you take care of yourself in the best way you can.  Add these into your planner and organizer, and your phone calendar, too!  Set an alarm that reminds you it's me time!  Smile and put away what you're doing to do what you had planned.  Take a walk.  Enjoy the breeze and sun on your face or the moonlight and evening air.  Make time to play, too!  Play is learning... I learned this "crazy" concept from awesome ladies at Guam Community College, Education Department!  Thanks Dr. Claire & Dr. Marsha!  My dad would have had a conniption with this concept, but I am so glad to have learned adults need play time as well.

#AllAboutYou.  It's okay.  Sometimes and hopefully, more often as you move forward, you will make time for yourself.  Just you and your needs; your wants, too.  You deserve it!  You've worked hard.  You've taken care of your husband or wife or partner and the kids and breakfast, lunch and dinner and the bills and the babysitter and the pets.  Make time for yourself.  It really is okay to do this.

#ChooseYourFavoriteDay.  Prefer to choose just one day?  Shoot!  Which day is your favorite to practice self-care?  Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday?  Make it your own.  Just as you schedule everything else in your life, schedule the activities of your preferred day of the week and schedule self-care from morning to evening.  I promise once you get the hang of this, you will love yourself and everyone around you even more and have so much more to offer than you already do!  Give it a try!

Continuing from my Feb 11 introduction

7Feb18, IslanderView Inspiration & Quote of the Day

All photos/pictures are from Pinterest.com or my own.

Is 2018 the year to 
write your book(s) or freelance writing?

If this is your dream, here are some resources to check out:

Work From Home FREELANCE WRITING

Write a book- GET PUBLISHED

Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners

WRITING ADVICE

WRITE BETTER WITH THIS NO COST WRITING COURSE

HOW I WROTE A CHILDREN'S BOOK 6 STEPS FROM IDEA TO EXECUTION

HOW TO START WRITING A BOOK

DISCLAIMER:  IslanderView / Vera Dela Cruz does not endorse any merchant or service.  You are responsible for performing due diligence before paying for any service offered online.  Be sure to verify there is a real company or person behind every advertisement.

6Feb18, IslanderView Inspiration & Quote of the Day

Checking in!

Are you still working 

towards your 2018 goals?

Here's some new ideas for your new life in 2018

Love to write?  Have something you want 

to share with the world?

Why not try Blogging?

WHAT IS A BLOG

Do a little research and see if blogging could be for you.

I am using BLOGGER for the IslanderView blog.

There are many apps you can choose from.  

BLOGGER is one that is FREE.

Free is always nice.

After a year with BLOGGER, I plan to move to a PAID URL/web address:  www.islanderview.com

If not a blog, why not write a book?

Tomorrow, I share some FREE resources on this.

More information on writing and publishing your very own books!

DISCLAIMER:  IslanderView / Vera Dela Cruz does not endorse any merchant or service.  You are responsible for performing due diligence before paying for any service offered online.  Be sure to verify there is a real company or person behind every advertisement.

COMING SOON! February issue of IslanderView!

Hafa adai Islanders!

The January issue was a hit with our readers and we're getting ready to send out the February issue. 

IslanderView January 2018

February is the month of LOVE.  We have several couples from on and off island who have honored us with their participation.  

Please join us when we go live with February issue. 

Our March is will focus on IslanderView's 8th anniversary and the journey to 2018.  Established in 2010, we have been mainly on social media and relaunched this blogsite last November.  Much appreciation to Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera for inspiring me with her blogsite and being the web master for PIBBA Guam, PIBBA International, both the Guam Poets Club & Micronesia Poets Club.  Saina Ma'ase Dr. Rivera! 

Our feature line up is coming along nicely.  Please email me if you have someone in mind whom we may want to feature.  Islanders from Guam, NMI, Palau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Hawaii are all qualified. 

You do not need to be residing on your island nation.  You can be living anywhere in the world and we can feature you as long as you come from the islands. 

We want to show off and promote our islander cultures to the world!

February - Islander Couples CLOSED
March - anniversary edition; Islanderview through the years...2010-2018 & Guam History & Chamorro Heritage Day CLOSED
April- TBA; any recommendaions?
May - features on islander moms, grandmas, stepmoms!
June - features summer activities that islanders LOVE
July - Independence Day and Liberation Day
August - TBA; any recommendations?
September - TBA; Labor Day
October- TBA; Halloween
November- Giving Thanks throughout Micronesia
December - Christmas Islander Style

Information required:
1.  Full Name
2.  Island Nation
3.  Profession, if any (need not be a professional)
4.  Agrees to be featured in Islanderview
5.  Photos will be requested.

I may be requesting an interview from some of our main supporters on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!  Some of you have been a ISLANDERVIEW FRIENDS from the beginning!

SAINA MA'ASE & Thank you!

3Feb18, IslanderView Inspiration & Quote of the Day

All photos/pictures are from Pinterest.com or my own.

Saturday is here! 

Enjoy your weekend and

love every moment!

Have an AWESOME Saturday, Islanders!

1Feb18, IslanderView Inspiration & Quote of the Day

All photos/pictures are from Pinterest.com or my own.

BIBA KOMPLEANOS!

HAPPY BLESSED BIRTHDAY

TO FEBRUARY BABIES!

BE Awesome.
BE Brave.
BE Courageous.
BE Daring & Determined.
BE Exciting.
BE Fearless.
BE Gorgeous.
BE Hardcore.
BE Invincible.
BE You.