Issue 20: Mama, You Know I Love You 💕
Q&A with Mama and Local Comedian Kallen Perez + Gift Feature with Velani Jewelry
Hi Friends!
It's Mother's Day and we're celebrating the strength and beauty of all the wonderful mother figures in our lives. In this week's edition, we chatted with Kallen Perez, a local comedian and mother of three, about how she navigated her grief by diving into stand-up comedy. Kallen also shared with us her hilarious Mother's Day Gift Guide, which is sure to resonate with many moms out there.
Wishing all the amazing mamas out there a Happy Mother's Day!
Until Next Week,
WW Gals
Mom Lifehacks
Keep a small bag of kid activities in your car – books and toys.
Use Vicks Vaporub, obviously. Jo Koy’s mom was all about that self-soothing fever remedy.
Cut your dish sponge into two. A smaller sponge can reach hard-to-wash water tumblers and cups.
Freeze single portions of cooked rice. This comes in handy when you’re short on time and want to whip up a quick meal.
Use a straw for yogurt – less messy spills and makes for an easy-to-go snack for the kids.
Using Humor to Cope with Life’s Unexpected Turns with Comedian Kallen Perez
Full name: Kallen Marie Ericson Perez
Occupation: Peer Support Specialist
Age: 33
For Kallen Perez, stand-up comedy was a way for her to process a dark period in her life after losing her parents at the age of 26. The local comedian and mama of three took part and won the 2016 Guam Comedy Series, “So you think you’re funny, HAH?” and used comedy to help her navigate through these dark periods of her life, including her journey toward drug rehabilitation.
Leaning into her “Ali Wong” alter ego, she continues to perform as an opener for various stateside comedians and local events. Dive into this heart-to-heart convo with Kallen, where she shares how she continues to use humor to navigate through life and motherhood.
Can you share a little about your life story – on losing your parents, struggling with drugs, and where it brought you today?
🎭 KP: This is the extremely condensed version, because this story spans about a decade. I started using meth in 2012 during a partying phase in my life, and later that year, my parents – who were both physicians – sent me to residential rehab on Guam. My first day in treatment I found out I was pregnant with my son. I had him the following June, and that December my dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to his brain.
The next summer, one month after my son's first birthday, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. I knew this was a serious situation then, but I never expected both of them to die. I felt like God could not be that cruel to me even though I had made so many mistakes (lol, like it was all about me, silly girl). We (my brother, my son's dad, and I) dealt with their illnesses for about 18 months each, and the next year in 2015, they died three months apart – in August and November.
I think I was in shock at first, not really able to process anything. I finished my bachelor's degree in Dec 2016 and then started working at Nihi! for a couple of years, then contracted with Docomo.
In 2018 I started getting really depressed. The idea that my parents were not on earth anymore was really sinking in for real. I relapsed on meth that fall and used drugs every single day for two years.
It got worse: I was kicked out of my parents' house, CPS took my two older kids on Valentine's Day 2020, and I had to go back to treatment when I was pregnant during COVID when so few services were available.
Don't worry-- this story ends happily: I had another baby in treatment, got full custody of my kids restored to me in 2021, found employment in treatment, and today I have everything I need to take care of my kids, myself, and my recovery. I am two and a half years clean from meth, and I performed stand-up comedy for the first time since my relapse (5 years!) last month, and the show was a hit.
How have these experiences shaped you as a mother?
🎭 KP: Today I have so much gratitude for my life. Being able to be a mom to my kids again is the greatest gift, something I was longing so hard for when I was away from them during CPS times, so I try to remind myself of that when I get stressed out managing three little ones. It's true what they say, the days are long, but the years are short. Time with my kids is so important to me so I only work part-time. During CPS times we were separated for one year and three months. My time is precious with them and my girls are so young (three and two) so I only work 80 hours a month, 20 hours a week. I get off at two and can pick them up from school, and I spend the whole afternoon with them and it’s really special.
Could you give us your thoughts on the importance of community involvement when it comes to raising kids?
🎭 KP: I love this question about community because I get labeled as a single mom, but I don’t relate to that label very well. My kids’ dad is still very much involved in their lives and he sees them every day at his mom’s house. His mom has also been such an incredible support to me. She loves my kids and she supports me as a mom so much. She’s always there for them and she loves them so fiercely, which I am so grateful for.
I also have four friends that I grew up and went to church with - Cathy and Sarah, who are sisters, and Audria and Beth, who are also sisters. Both of their parents and my parents were all friends at church. Together, we have 11 kids.
I feel so grateful to have friends who have known me for my whole life. They really are like my sisters. I love being around people who raise their kids like mine, and now all our kids are friends and will hopefully continue to grow up together. I feel like this is uniquely a Guam thing where it’s village oriented.
Can you tell us a mom joke?
🎭 KP: The other day, I told my 19-year-old niece with perfect perky susu, “You need to cherish your pre-kid body, because when you reach my age and have kids, you’re going to wake up and you’re going to have to take out your nipple out of your fafa to start the day. These things are like water balloons that you pop.”
Gift Feature: Velani Jewelry
Velani Jewelry is for anyone of all ages who appreciates high-quality, stylish jewelry at a fair price. Check out this beautiful collection and get to know the owner, Velani Junkert. This gift is mommy approved!
💍 What brought you to Guam and how did you get into selling jewelry?
✨VJ: My journey to Guam, home of Velani Jewelry, started with my husband's military retirement. Being a natural entrepreneur, I transitioned from selling ice cream outside of a gas station with my older brother after school in Brazil to unveiling the unique Velani Jewelry in Hawaii. Now, I'm thrilled to introduce the exceptional quality and affordability of Velani Jewelry to the wonderful Guam community!
💍 Could you tell us the difference between gold filled and gold plated?
✨VJ: When it comes to jewelry, understanding the difference between gold filled and gold plated is essential.
Velani Jewelry specializes in gold-filled pieces, which have a higher gold content than gold plated ones. This makes Velani Jewelry more resistant to water and tarnish, perfect for tropical environments like Guam and also hypoallergenic. 18K gold filled jewelry made in Brazil uses a very special technique of pressure bonding the gold to brass material, which is much different than the chemical process used for gold plated. Be sure to look for the 18k GF stamp for authenticity that you will find on Velani Jewelry pieces.
💍 What’s your personal favorite piece from your collection?
✨VJ: As for my personal favorite from the Velani Jewelry collection, it's tough to choose! But I particularly love our Radiant Sun Pendant paired with the Paperclip Chain. I'm also very excited about our upcoming Velani Jewelry piece - a half paperclip, half freshwater pearl necklace!
How to purchase Velani Jewelry:
Follow @VelaniJewelry_Guam
📍Chamorro Village every Wednesday evening 5 PM - 8:30 PM
📍The Plaza in front of Lacoste, every Friday from 11 AM - 7 PM.
Also, you can find them at Blush Guam, where you can pair a Velani Jewelry piece with a beautiful outfit.
🍵 Things to Try & Read this Weekend
20 Sweet Stories About Moms (That Will Make You Want to Call Yours)
Take a mental break with this Vox Crossword puzzle.
Challenge yourself to complete one project this month (eg: coloring one page in an adult coloring book or reading a book without starting on a new one).
Try this four-ingredient piña colada ice cream.
Watch an international movie or series. (We just finished watching a Colombian thriller drama called Pálpito, also called The Marked Heart, on Netflix.)
Ever wondered how motherhood is around the world?
Esta Later!
Thanks for being here for 20 whole issues! Your support means the world to us and we’re happy you’re here. Say hi by DMing us :) We’re always open to any suggestions or issue ideas you may have. ☕️