(Feature Story: Descriptive ) Yellow ribbons hug every post. Patriotic songs linger the air waves. Even Dawn’s “Tie a Yellow Ribbon…” comes to life. The Arm Forces of the Philippines (AFP) offers a Volley of Fire. Eight canon balls continuously blasting; one every thirty minutes...

At 5 months My clothes won’t fit me; maternity dresses were too big for me. I had nothing to wear; left me frustrated. My bulge began to show; people stared at it and I wasn’t used to it, I wore a jacket. Awkward. Back and joint pains were killing me; I can’t sleep on my back nor on...

No morning sickness. No dizziness. No nausea. My practitioner said, “Good for you.” Indeed; it was a blessing. No early and unwanted signs of the first trimester. I wanted and needed to work. Otherwise I’ll be as bedridden, immobilized, and could possibly be hospitalized as how my Mother was when...

My favorite trio This is one of my favorite Hawaiian songs ever. It was sang and performed by the Hawaiian trio Na Leo Pilimehana; and this was their number one song; the most famous one, released in 2000. NA LEO PILIMEHANA, which in Hawaiian means the voices blending together in warmth, is the most...

I miss the rainbows of Hawaii. They say that at the end of a rainbow rests a pot of gold. It was only in Hawaii where I have seen the literal end of those mysterious bows of colors. It was morning when I was strolling down the campus of BYUH when transparent rows of colors rested upon the green leaves...

It was January 28, 2003, my cousin Jazlyn’s baby luau. Uncle Gary with his bulky truck drove two hours from Waipahu to the north of Oahu where BYUH sits. My roommate Apple and I jumped up the back of the Nissan Frontier while Mommy sat beside Uncle. We took a few pictures before he started the engine. "Shaka!" On...

(This was one of the articles [based on a true story] I wrote for my writing class back in college at BYUH, in 2005; under the human interest story) In the “Joseph’s Smith’s Discourse,” it was written: “When you stare at the stars Janette Manzano Catahan for five minutes, you will learn of...

(This was one of the feature articles I wrote when I was working at the Ke Alaka’i [The Leader, BYUH's university paper]; about Sophornn Touch’s inspiring story on his pursuit of learning and being educated. Date published: January 26, 2005. Headline altered.) Entrance: Brigham Young University-Hawaii Walking...

Gray, coarse sand; non-exhilarating waves; and murky shore; that’ how beaches looked like to me until I had my first plunge into the Hawaiian waters — white, fine sad; thrill-filled waves; and clear, blue waters. It was in September of 2002. My elder sister Dolour tugged us along (my friends...

I frequently got up at night to visit the comfort room; one thing I don’t usually do, my abdomen seemed to be thickening for some reason I’m puzzled with, my breasts were full and swelling with pain, a few touch or movement, even the pull of gravity ouched me. Came early morning of March 3, I did...