Issue 17: 💥Now That’s What I Call the 90s
🎵 I Want You Back
Hey Friends!
Here's a little throwback nostalgia for you guys. 2022-2023 seems like a Freaky Friday year where our favorite 90s denim, preppy plaid, and punk skatewear are returning to the fashion world. So if Gen-Z says they did it first – AS IF. We love that it's making a comeback, though.
If you're a Gen-X or a millennial reading this, forewarning – these throwbacks may bring out the kid in you. Open this time capsule of 90s nostalgia when MTV was life, junk food was a breakfast staple, and when Disney movies made us cry (Fox and Hound, The Land Before Time... shall we continue?). And if you were living in Guam, then you remember the epic grand opening of K-MART.
Enjoy this wonder ball of a newsletter!
Later Days ✌🏻
WW gals
Guam in the 90s
There are certain aspects of Guam that still have a nostalgic 90s feel to them; our favorite diners, the mom & pop stores, and even Micronesia Mall’s ball drop. In retrospect, a lot can change in three decades, but from the wise words of former Guam Congressman Ben Blaz and retired U.S. Marine General,
"Every once in a while, you ought to slow down and take a look at the few things around you and then get a good gauge of where things are… and just make some comparisons of the way it was and the way it is today."
Watch this 90s video about Guam here.
Going Back in Time
Micronesia Mall
Fun Fair
The Time Machine or Ball Drop (kids refer to it as this but it’s actually called MIMO which stands for Micronesia Identified Moving Objects)
Center Court
Liberty House
Gibson’s
Town House (Agana Shopping Center)
Rolling typhoons, power outages, and no school
Which Gen was cool enough to grow up eating junk food for breakfast like Pop-Tarts, Eggos, and cereals because it was a part of "balanced breakfasts?" It was all thanks to those sugar-coated commercials, which were entertaining and misleading. They don't make 'em like they used to.
🍪 Dunkaroos
💭 Did you know our beloved childhood snack, Dunkaroos, was inspired by a cookie-flavored beer? 🍪🍺 Dunkaroos made its comeback! You can find them here.
If you need an immediate fix, pick up Golden Grahams and a container of your favorite cake frosting, and voila! Happy Dunking 😉
🧀 A CHEESY Childhood
The classic grilled cheese sandwiches and boxed macaroni and cheese are childhood staples.
Elevate your grilled cheese sandwich game by reading this article. Also, watch this video to see how grilled cheese is prepared and eaten in other countries!
Upgrade your boxed macaroni and cheese with these recommendations.
💭 Did you know:
Using mayonnaise instead of butter as a spread is a great way to get perfectly crisp sides
Macaroni and cheese in Canada is typically eaten with ketchup.
🍪 Read more fun 90s food facts here.
Before we had the luxury of iPads, we had VHS and cable television that served as our part-time babysitter. Here’s our nostalgic watchlist.
Movies
Back to the Future (1985-1990)
Homeward Bound (1993-1996)
My Girl (1991)
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Pretty Woman (1990)
Blast from the Past (1999)
Bad Boys (1995)
Clerks (1994)
Shows
Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?
Reading Rainbow
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Samurai Jack
All That
Boy Meets World
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
💭 Did you know: The first episode of Law & Order aired on September 13, 1990, and has been going on for 22 seasons.
WW with Jason “Jase” Mendiola from Storybook Heroes
We are so stoked to feature Jason "Jase" Mendiola @storybook_heroes. He's a creative, musician, and toy photographer. He takes amazing photographs of superhero and action toy figures that he set designs himself.
Story behind Storybook Heroes
🤖 JM: The story behind Storybook Heroes is that it's a thing I started during the pandemic. We were locked in our houses, and I discovered toy photography through Instagram. I thought it was amazing and never saw anything like it.
I started collecting action figures, and since I had a camera, I just took pictures of them. In a way, I relived my little moments of childhood.
What are your fondest memories growing up with these shows and comics?
🤖 JM: I used to collect comic books – Spiderman and X-men in particular. I watched all the Marvel cartoons. I think I was around seven years old when I was consistently picking up the new Marvel comics or watching Marvel cartoons that were coming out on Fox Kids.
A glimpse behind the scenes
🤖 JM: I try to think of an idea and dwell on that idea. Sometimes, I would set up my shot, and if I don't like it, I won't take the shot and would leave it up for a few days. It's somewhat of a long process, but sometimes it comes to me fast, where it works out perfectly, and the shot is done.
On the subject of toys, did you know:
💭 Did you know: The NSA declared Furbies a security threat and banned them from entering its facilities in 1999? They feared the doll's built-in recorder would record and repeat classified information.
The OG digital pet you brought with you everywhere (and maybe sometimes forgot about). The official name comes from the Japanese word "tamago" meaning egg.
Mortal Kombat just turned 30! Midway developed the slightly gorier competitor of Street Fighter. Not to mention, the game had a more technical gameplay with five-button and eight-directional joystick sequences that may have led to a broken controller or two. Oh well, Kitana wins – flawless victory!
It's safe to say that anyone with a Gameboy could exercise self-control because of the sad limitations our parents would put on us when it came to going to the mom & pop store to buy double AA batteries. This console was the answer to our prayers when it was introduced in 1989 with its monochromatic graphics. The first game boy was said to have lasted for 30 hours on two double AA batteries 🤯 Read more fun facts about the Nintendo Gameboy here.
🎮 You can play some of your favorite video games like Duck Hunt, right on your phone here.
💭 Did you know: The English Pokemon theme song differs from the Japanese
Japanese version 🇯🇵
English version 🇺🇸
Dear Diary…
When Quiet Storm used to play on Sundays and McDonald’s gave out NSYNC and Britney Hit Clips. Oh, how bittersweet to say Bye, Bye, Bye to the 90s.
🎧 Akina's Playlist: An Ode to the Quiet Storm
🎧 Marissa's Playlist: Don’t Dream It’s Over
Did you know?
Once upon a time, when MTV was just about music, "Video Killed the Radio Star" was the first music video to air. We're with Alanis Morissette because…. isn't it ironic?
Recommended Reads
Remember reading anonymous secrets on Postcard Secret?
If you're a big Friends fan, here are some easter eggs you might have missed. For instance, did you notice in Season 6 Episode 1, everyone's names ended with Arquette? This was because Courtney married David Arquette that summer.
A brief history and lesson on 90's fashion
Later Days!
Thank you for sticking around for our 90s throwback! Let's not let this "linger" any longer 😉
Don’t forget about upcoming April Events
We'll see you next week!
I truly enjoyed this as a 90s kid, especially the aspects about Guam. I love reminiscing about Guam in the 90s. Thank you for this!! Also thank you for sharing the 90s Guam IG account.