Hawaii.01

ALOHA!!!

Yes, it's true. I'm finally blogging about my trip to Hawaii! I know it's been almost five days since I got back, and I too am appalled at the length of time that has lapsed since my two week adventure back home. :)

So, what we're gonna do right here is go back...
Way back.
Back into time. (kudos to all of you that got that reference...)

Here it goes. :D Two weeks and five days ago I went to Hawaii for my little brother's wedding. I was pretty stoked. I love Hawaii more than life, and I love my family even more (if that is possible... ;) ).

So I booked my flights and headed to the Big Island (where the wedding was to take place).I just have to say that after three years of being away, a lot has changed! Heck, they actually re-did a lot of the roads and developed a lot. If you have ever lived in Kona for any prolonged period of time, you'll know what I'm talking about. ;) Anyway... I forgot how great it smelled in Hawaii. Like every breath was a perfume of ocean and flowers. Amazing. Also forgot the rugged beauty that is Kona. Not a lot of people like Kona because it's not the 'typical' Hawaii that people want to see (aka Ala Moana Beach park or Waikiki...) but there is a wilder edgier beauty in Kona. There aren't a lot of sandy beaches, but I don't mind at all. :)

Anyway, so the day after I got there (jet-lagged and unseasonably dressed for Hawaii...) we mostly just hung out and played music, prepping for the big day.

I got to hand deliver the cake over the airways. Let me tell you that wedding cakes are HEAVY!!! This cake was about 30 lbs. Have you ever seen those cake challenges on the FOOD network??? (Can you tell my TV watching habits?) Anyway, I commend bakers for having to lift them all the time! It was done by a bakery called Cake Works. They did a really nice job, and it tasted good, and it was WAY affordable!!! I highly recommend them. My mom said they were way easy to work with.

SO yeah. The wedding was awesome. I got to see basically everyone, so it was fantastic. Here are some pics that my cousin Vaina took at the temple. (She has a photography business called Pulama Creations. :)

 Sean and Hiromi. :)

The WHOLE family... extra points if you can spot me!

The Keanaainas. :)

My brothers and the best man, Liam.

Sean and dad

Sean and mom

Hiromi and her dad

Hiromi and her mom (who wore a traditional kimono!)

 The lovely couple!

after the temple, they did a ring ceremony at the beach. I like this pic because Sean is so awesome in it!!!

My favorite one!!!

Hiromi will have someone to make her laugh forever! They are such a great couple. Hiromi actually got mono the night before the wedding, and was heavily medicated most of the day and at the reception. I have a video of a jam session at the reception. It's me, my dad, uncle fred, and guin, with elias as the videographer. :) Enjoy!!! I'll post more later...

Thanksgiving

Hello all!!! So, I don't have a lot of time. I will be traveling back to Hawaii in two days and I have A LOT to do before then. You'll have to wait until later for my copyright rant. For now, some pictures of the first Thanksgiving meal I've ever made.

This is the cranberry apple sauce. It was super easy to make and tasted AMAZING!!! I made it the night before, which I'm grateful for because it needed time to marry the flavors. The recipe was this: a SPLASH of water. Seriously. No more than a couple of tablespoons. One bag of cranberries (fresh or frozen and thawed), two granny smith apples peeled, cored and cubed, the zest of half a large orange (to taste), and 3/4 a cup of superfine sugar to 1-1/2 cup. (to taste.) Bring to a boil and then simmer until it is the consistency you prefer. Mine took about 7 minutes after boiling.

Next was the the turkey, which of course was the star of the show. I found that turkey is really easy to screw up. You have to pay attention to it to make sure it doesn't dry out. Also, I didn't stuff it with stuffing, which I actually think I prefer because the roasted veggies were DELISH!!! :) I started out with 7 stalks of celery, 6-7 carrots, an orange (used the zest for the cranberry sauce), a whole onion and yet another splash of liquid. Keep it to approx. 1/8 a cup. (Any more and your juices could overflow into your oven.) To season I used: season-all (a no salt seasoning), marjoram, pepper, and a stick of butter (cubed). Stuff the turkey with half of all the veggies and the orange. Splash the water or stock in the bottom of your roasting pan. Put all the rest of the veggies in the pan, and rub the turkey with all the seasoning. Put your fingers between the skin and the breast of the turkey and separate them to make a "pocket." Put the seasoning in there too, and put the butter cubes in there too (spaced out of course). This is what it could look like:

So pretty!!!

Cook the turkey at 325 F for at least 3 to 3-1/2 hours depending on the size of your bird. Remember LOW and SLOW is the ticket!!! You also need to baste every half hour or so to keep the meat moist. Here are some other pics:

This is about an hour and a half in

The finished product. :)

I am no genius when it comes to carving... so do your best. This is what mine looked like:

:S

I used the "drippings" to make a gravy. My great-grandma supervised as I cooked it. Here it is:

This was super easy too! I took all the drippings and (was supposed to) separate the fat. (I say supposed to separate because my g-g forgot that part, and we ended up with really greasy gravy. Still good, but pretty gross.) After separating the fat and the drippings, put them in a sauce pan on medium to low heat. Get out your flour. Make a slurry with the flour and some water. It should be about the consistency of a runny glue. Incorporate the slurry into the dripping slowly with a whisk until you get the consistency you want. (it took  about a cup of flour for mine.) You will need to season this after it is all done with A LOT of pepper and I used a no-salt seasoning, but you can definitely use salt to taste.

We also made potatoes, stuffing, rolls, and candied yams, but I am sworn to secrecy regarding the recipes. ;) This was the spread:

Looks good, huh??? :)

This was my plate. Starting clockwise from the 12 o'clock position we have green beans and kielbasa with onions, a whole wheat roll, roasted veggies, turkey with gravy, cranberry apple sauce, and in the middle, mashed potatoes. It was delicious. I know that I cooked it, but honestly, it was one of the greatest meals I've had in a while. The turkey was moist (thanks to the endless basting) and the cranberry sauce was to DIE for. I think I'll go have a turkey sandwich now! It's SO FANTASTIC!!!

Another angle on the food:

Yum!!!

And I'm spent...

ANYWHO...

The rest of the weekend was awesome too. :) My grandma and I took my great grandma back home. Here is a picture of her. She's so cute. She's 98, can you believe it?!

She is so spunky!

Anyway, it was about a 6 hour drive. Pretty long, but we got there safe and sound. My g-g asked me to decorate her door for Christmas while my grandma did her hair.

It was so cute to watch them together. My grandma is so caring when she "tends" to my g-g. They have a really special relationship. It was really cool to hang out with them, and the door ROCKED with it's socks on! :) Here are some pics of the door:

It was really cool. (if I do say so myself!) -->

Here is a picture of my g-g (proud owner of the door) and my co-decorator, my grandma phyl. :)

Aren't they cute?

Anywho... all in all it was a great trip. I had some epiphanies, but those will have to wait until a later time. Here is one more pic of my grandmas for the road. They are amazing women. :)

I leave you with lyrics for a great song...

Very Loud
by: Shout Out Louds

And I wanna build buildings high for you
But the costs, my god, the costs I can't afford you
But I always choose another way
And this is why this love can't stay

But I wanna change, change the way we "always have"
And to make different plans and try not to make this sad
But I always choose another way
And this is why this love can't stay

Little by little
You're gonna hear me cry
Hear me cry "Why?"

But I wanna smell, smell the way you do
And to wear those clothes, the clothes your friends do
But I always choose another way
This is why this love can't stay

Little by little
You're gonna hear me cry
Hear me cry "Why?"
And I know that it started somewhere
And I really like it now, yes, I really like it now
I like it now.

See I got a plan
A plan to get us out of here
If we only can use your money, then we can definitely get out of here
You see I always screw it up some way
But this is why this love can't stay (it can't stay)

Little by little
You're gonna hear me cry
Hear me cry "Why?"
And I know that it started somewhere
And I really like it now, Yes I really like it now
And I like it now

And we know we started, yeah we started from there
And you were very loud, yes, you were very loud
But I really like that, very loud
like that, yeah, you were very loud

Finally...

------------------------------------

This video was posted by my friend Terrence, who had the courage to email it around to everyone, which I am more than happy to do... I will also post a follow-up post after you all (my faithful readers) comment on the post. If you don't, I'll still post it, but it would make me very sad. ;)

Oh, and just a tip: please watch all nine videos that compromise this film. :) Alohas!!!

Fiftieth Post

So... this is my 50th post!!! :)

WOO HOO!!!

Can you believe it? Wow. I've been thinking for a couple of days as to what I could post to commemorate this auspicious event. :) So, I found something to write about that is so amazing, I may not do it any justice. I'm actually still contemplating whether or not I want to write about it because I really want you all to see it in the same light I do, and I am unsure I have the wherewithal to properly convey my feelings about it to you.

Let me warm up with some nonsense and then we'll get to the heart of the matter.

Life lately has been pretty good. :) I'm leaving for Hawaii in about a week an a half. Can you believe that??? I'm not sure if I'm even ready to leave yet, but I am definitely ready to see my family. :)

So I have this thing. I tend to not like asking for help when I do something. Call it independence or stupidity, but I always have walked my own path. This was the case with my Thanksgiving dinner. I have been seriously stressing out about it because I feel extremely inadequate when it comes to planning a big dinner like that. However, once I put aside my pride and called my mom, I feel about 1,000 times better about it. --deep breath-- I can do it! :)

Wow. I have to get to the bank! So, here is the main topic of my 50th. Enjoy it, and let me know what you think. It's from one of my favorite websites: Today's Big Thing. All you have to do is CLICK HERE and all your lollipop wishes and candyland dreams will come true. ;) Wait... is that the quote? Eh. I like it... ;)

Random Song Lyric time!!! Ooh, and today is a personal favorite:

Wish you Were Here
by: Pink Floyd

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
And cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange
A walk on part in the war,
For a lead role in a cage?

How I wish,
How I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

finals, finale and fins....

As some of you may know, I am attending school online at the University of Phoenix. After trying and failing at attending or enrolling in "regular" college, I decided that maybe an online thing would be easier for me to keep up with, since I am on the computer probably 12 of 24 hours in a day. (It sounds sadder when I say it out-loud like that...) I am seriously pursuing my degree in Web Design, although now I think I want to be a Web Developer. Oh, higher education and your many choices. If I were a better woman, I would have "picked a horse" sooner, and avoided the eternal stress you seem to give me...

Anywho, So in my desperation to get my degree to "grow up" (in no uncertain terms... literally. I vehemently believe [is that redundant?] that once I get my degree I will in essence be an 'adult' for the first time in my life...) I jumped on the "higher education" horse. Not literally. ;)

I just have to say right now, that I am in favor of education. I think that it is the bee's knees. The cat's pajamas... and all that. Seriously one of the spiffiest things out there for a young person to do. Educate yourselves. It is better to live life in knowledge than to dwindle in ignorance. (lol... that was for all my Mormom readers out there.) Anyway, back to the blog.

Online school is TOUGH!!! I would not recommend it to my worst enemy. Well, maybe I would... I am not in the right frame of mind now to say anything that is intransigent... Let me explain.

This is what I have to do for my classes. I take two classes at a time. These classes last for nine weeks, in which time, I am to complete a semesters amount of work. (This is not for the faint of heart, let me tell you.) There are participation requirements as well as attendance requirements. I also need to be (as I am finding out as I go along) a self-starter. (Which anyone can tell you [who has known me for any prolonged period of time] that I am HORRIBLE at.) Like right now... I am "taking a break" from using my brain... but we'll get back to that.

Anyway... Back to the issue at hand.

So, in each "semester" there are final projects for each class, meaning that I have two final project due every nine weeks. This in addition to the homework load and my "life's" load... My brain is fried... fricasseed, frizzled, sauteed, seared, singed, sizzled... and any other word that means (in no uncertain terms... ;) ) cooked!

I feel like just as I am grasping the gist of what I am supposed to be learning, I am taken out of the pot and thrown into a whole new pot, where I have to identify new and unfamiliar ingredients, and why they make sense together. (How did this become a food analogy???)

I guess I'm just complaining and procrastinating my work, because I have a rough draft of my communication final (which is due tonight by midnight for full credit) that I don't want to do.

I know... I can hear my conscience yelling: "What do you mean you don't want to? You are paying for your education. Don't waste your time. You can't afford to be lazy right now..." Yada, yada, yada. Truth be known,  I want to be in Hawai'i right now.

Next month, I get to take my annual pilgrimage to my motherland, Hawai'i. My little bro is getting married, and all of my free time has been dedicated to designing their invitations, debating with my mother as to the best way of getting all of the brides family around (they are all from Japan) and deciding on the best colors for the wedding cake. That, in addition to finals, car problems (Blanche, my car is in the shop. :( ) and a shortage in money, seem almost too much to think about. I guess it's all a part of life and making sacrifices and growing up.

The end of the year is coming up, and I'm unsettled by how quickly this year has gone by. It feels like it should still be summer, and I have the time to finish everything and be there for everyone. :S I guess I should tell you about what happened this weekend before I get back to my finals. (Conscience: "Procrastinator!" ;) )

So, some of you have yet to meet Blanche, my car... or as I lovingly call her, my g-ride, hoopty, or P.O.S. :) She's a '92 Crown Vic, with a busted interior and faded paint job. I got her for free from my grandma when we moved to Utah. I love her, but it's frustrating for me (someone with little to no knowledge about how to fix, diagnose, or even recognize car problems) to have an older car. I honestly have no knowledge whatsoever about cars.

I think that if I had a car that I could make mistakes on and take apart, I could get the hang of it... but I don't, so let's not dwell on things that aren't a part of reality.

Anywho, I've been realizing slowly that something was wrong with Blanche, but since I don't have any money (mostly from buying plane tickets and paying bills) I thought I had a little bit of leeway with her problems. How wrong I was...

I went out to my car on Friday, and found a puddle under the engine area of Blanche. Being the "smart" person I am (thanks to Slick Willey's... my lube guys) I got a napkin to see what color the fluid was. When I go to Slick Willey's they always have a color indicator they show you, to see how mucked up your car's fluids are. So, I knew that red = power steering fluid. Maybe it was the redness that sent me into a panic (resemblance to blood) or maybe I really just needed to get rid of the stress in my brain about my car, but my only thought was, "Blanche has a leak...  I need to call someone!"

I did. I called Bruce, my car guy. He's a magician, a miracle worker of the automotive world. I called him and explained what happened, and he said I needed to come in right away. So, we (Blanche and I) went to Bruce's place. (Nielson Automotive. They really are the best.) The diagnosis: A faulty power-steering pump. Thank goodness it wasn't anything worse.

Unfortunately my weekend plans were shot. I had planned to go to Page this weekend to see my uncle before he goes to work in Iraq for a year. BUT,  I am grounded in St. George. Which, I think actually worked out better because I never would have been able to focus on my rought draft with all the hustle and bustle of an early Thanksgiving. (My favorite holiday.)

Which reminds me... I am cooking Thanksgiving for my grandma, great-grandma, and my Uncle Kelly and his family. I'm pretty excited, and I hope they are ready for some exotic Thanksgiving flavors. :)

huh. Okay. Lyric time. Seriously, this is such a beautiful song. It makes me warm and fuzzy and nostalgic all at the same time. So, ONWARD!!!

 

Blue Skies
by: Noah And The Whale

This is a song for anyone
With a broken heart
This is a song for anyone
Who can't get out of bed

I'll do anything
To be happy
Oh cause blue skies are calling
But I know that it's hard

This is the last song
That I write
While still in love with you

This is the last song
That I write
While you're even on my mind

Cause it's time to leave
Those feelings behind
Oh cause blue skies are calling
But I know that it's hard

I don't think that it's the end
But I know we can't keep going
I don't think that it's the end
But I know we can't keep going

But blue skies are calling
Oh yeah blue skies are calling
Oh blue skies are calling
But I know that it's hard

And so it goes...

I'm sick... again. I hate being sick. I know I am not alone in this feeling, but I REALLY hate being sick.

Anyway...

Many of you may not know this, but I am an avid Billy Joel fan. I think I get it from my mom... she would always play Billy Joel on the long drives to my grandparent's house during the summertime. I've had the song "And So It Goes" stuck in my head for about a week. One line that I love from the song is:

"And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen."

It really has nothing to do with my mood lately, but I really like the song. ;)

I experienced something yesterday that made me more aware of how different I was brought up compared to a lot of the kids "nowadays."

So I was at a gig. The band I play with was asked to play at a church function for a Young Single Adult group. We got there, and they were the rudest audience I've ever played for. I have been performing for 15+ years, and I was appalled and embarrassed at their behavior. They were EXTREMELY loud, drowning out any sound from the in-house PA system, they walked in front of our dancer--almost knocking her over, and they overall were very disrespectful. We ended up cutting like 8 songs out and leaving early because they were so loud and unmannerly.

I know I need to just get over it, but I was so surprised and offended at their behavior. I would never think to be disrespectful to someone who was performing. I guess a lot of my offense comes from the fact that they were members of my church.

Anyway. I'm over it. lol. That was easy! ;)

My friend Susi is going to Europe for two weeks. What am I going to do for two weeks??? If anyone wants to hang out, I'm down in Chinatown. Well, not really. I'm in St. George.

I'm thinking about purchasing a camera. I want this one:

It's a Sony Cybershot DSC-W290. I'm pretty excited. :) Have any of you had any experience with this camera??? Let me know, good or bad.

Something else that was fun... I went to a performance of the Flying Karamazov Brothers. They were HILARIOUS, and quite amazing jugglers! Check out their website HERE. They're pretty awesome. Doesn't the blond guy look like Tom Green?


And now, I leave you with the lyrics from "And So It Goes."

In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along

I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense

And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break

And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows

So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break

And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows.

Oh life, how you entertain me.

So, funny story...

A couple months ago at work we had a golf tournament. Susi and I were categorizing prizes, and my job was to make the post-its that indicated where the prize was going. I made a post-it for the losing team, because they receive toy sand buckets every year. Susi, being the mastermind that she is, stated, "we don't need a tag for the losing team, we already know what they get." Being the perfectionist that I am, I had already made up the tag, and stuck it to the first thing that I saw, which was the backside of Susi's computer monitor.

Now, most people wouldn't see the problem with this because the back of their monitors usually face a wall of sorts. However, Susi's office layout calls for the back of her computer monitor to face the area where clientele of the Chamber sit to visit with her.

Back to present day...

A potential Chamber member came in today to talk to Susi, and he saw this on the back of her computer monitor:


Lol... Of course, he took it off and asked Susi if she knew it was there... Aw, man. Good times!

I think I'm going to start getting into photography now. Not to toot my own horn, but I take some pretty cool pics... Here is a sampling of the most recent ones.

lol. I know... I am possibly the most amateur photographer ever... but I'm learning! :) Alohas!!!

Hungry for more!!!

Hello all!!!
Every year, I volunteer at the Huntsman World Senior Games. This year I am a Shuttle Driver. :) Last year I found out how awesome driving a shuttle for a bunch of international senior athletes could be, and I decided to do it again. It starts this weekend, and I'm pretty excited! :)



Also this weekend, is Oktoberfest here in St. George. The New Promise Lutheran Church is putting on an event, and it looks like a ton of fun! They're going to have authentic German food and an Oompa band to play some polka! WOO HOO! A pic of Susi and I with the Oompa band in 2007. You could say we're the groupies for the band. ;)

I love the fall!

I'm watching!

Hello all!!!

I just wanted to say that I LOVE watching movies. :) I don't know what it is, but after I watch a good movie I am automatically in a good mood. :)

Movies I want to see in the future:

-Ponyo
-All About Steve
-9
-Up (i know... haven't seen it yet)
-Paper Heart
-Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
-Invention of Lying
-Surrogates
-The Informant
-Amelia
-Astro Boy
-Youth in Revolt
-New Moon
-2012
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
-Planet 51
-Ninja Assassin
-The Lovely Bones
-The Princess and the Frog
-Avatar
-Hachiko: A Dog’s Tale
-The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus
-It’s Complicated
-Sherlock Holmes
-Mr. Nobody
-The Secret of Moonacre
-Up in the Air

:)

I really do love movies... and these are just the "mainstream" ones. I have a whole other list for the indie films I want to see. Which brings me to the point of my post.

I am finally able to go to a movie alone and enjoy myself.

I have a friend that ALWAYS watched movies alone. (I'm assuming since he is now married he has a movie pal. ;) ) I always thought he was strange, but now I see that it wasn't strangeness. It's good to feel comfortable in your own skin. To not care what the outside world thinks of you. I think as a society, we put too high a price on what others think.

What do you think?

Because, truly, that is what matters. No one else can live your life for you. If you want to go somewhere or do something, what are you waiting for? Get out there and do it. If you wait for other people to jump on the band wagon, you'll be waiting all your life. Here is another Dr. Seuss quote:

"Today you are you,
that is truer than true.
There is no one alive
who is youer than you."

Be who you are, and do it on purpose. Don't let others dictate who you are.

Tired. Sorry if this doesn't make sense.

I find myself at a crossroads of sorts. I feel like I am presented with two options, and I don't know which to choose.

One path leads to possible happiness and less drama. One of my resolutions this year has been to avoid drama, and while I have tried to, I find it tends to follow me. The first path has been there for a long time, but I've eluded the choice by pretending it wasn't there. Now, I am forced to recognize it is there and make a choice. Which explains the post... even if no one reads it. ;)

The second path is full of drama and possible happiness. (you notice the "possible"... that because happiness is uncertain) There are also other things on the second path that can be either positive or negative depending on how they occur. I can see further down this path, but I'm unsure if I want to deal with the ramifications and hardships down this path.

I am extremely tempted to take the first path, but then I wonder, "What if the second path (while harder and more 'rocky') is the right path to take?" How do I instinctively know that the second path will be harder? Why do I think that the harder the journey the bigger reward? What if the easier path is just that? Easier? What if the rewards are the same, but I'm just torturing myself because I'm deluded? All these questions and no answers.

huh... moving on.

I was reading my friend's blog, and I have to say that I feel a lot like she has recently: depressed and confused. I feel like everything I try to say or do blows up in my face. I am a blunt and at times apathetic person. I care a lot about my family and friends, but sometimes it's just too much to have to worry about EVERYONE all the time. I know that I offend a lot of people, but I really can't be bothered about it. Mostly because I can't control how people interpret what I say and what I do. However, it also has a lot to do with my friend Carol's favorite quote by Dr. Seuss:

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

So will the people that 'matter' care that I am thoughtless and blunt? Obviously my family and friends (for the most part) don't because they are still around.

But...

I still get that nagging sensation that I need to make some adjustments. But why?

Life is so unexpected some times.

Me...

A 'preface' to this... I got it from my cousin. Stupidly thought it would be an easy way to kill time... Here is goes!

100 Things About Me...

1. I am easily irritated.

2. I suffer from genetic road rage. ;)

3. It is emotionally impossible for me to hold a grudge.

4. I love the smell of pencils and rubber cement... and scotch tape.

5. I do not know how to do my own hair. Chalk it up to growing up as a tom boy.

6. I was bald until I was 3.

7. I LOVE all the same music my parents do... with my own embellishments of course. :)

8. I am a chronic liar. Sometimes I can't control it... I don't know where that comes from.

9. I feel a mystical bond with nature. No, really.

10. I have always wanted to be a racecar driver.

11. People feigning helplessness is one of my biggest pet peeves-- even if they don't know they are doing it.

12. My favorite number is 5.

13. It was brought to my attention that I write my S's upside down.

14. I actually laugh if I write 'LOL.' :)

15. I am a horrible writer when it comes to punctuation and spelling.

16. I actually tried to convince my friends that weird was spelled 'wierd'... good times. :D

17. I hate crying in front of people. It makes me feel weak.

18. I hate the following breakfast foods: Waffles, Pancakes, Hash browns... >gag<

19. Exercise is boring to me. I like an activity that combines the mental and physical.

20. I feel guilty when my car has problems.

21. I have to have the following to sleep: flowing air, dark, and silence

22. My OCD manifests itself when I am under extreme anxiety or duress.

23. I am amazingly good at making people feel guilty... I try not to use it too much.

24. I have a hard time telling guys that I'm interested. Instead I tend to push them away.

25. I feel embarrassed when people compliment me on my singing when I know it wasn't the best I am capable of.

26. My parent's opinions mean everything to me.

27. So do my brother's... I think that's why I fight with them a lot.

28. I love making funny faces in photos :)

29. I know a lot of things that people have tried to hide from me. That's what comes from having a good social network.

30. I am a true Aries... go look it up.

31. I love animals. I think it's wrong to be intentionally cruel to them.

32. I think I have deep-seeded issues that can't be worked out without the help of a professional.

33. I am afraid of doctor's offices.

34. ...and spiders

35. I have never felt that I have wasted my time in my life. Everything I pursue or do has some sort of benefit eventually.

36. Michael J. Fox is a hero of mine.

37. I'm scared of getting married to the wrong person.

38. I'm scared of getting married the right person too...

39. I think people see me differently than I see myself.

40. I am extremely loyal to my friends.

41. I'll admit that I am a music snob at times.

42. I want a HUGE luau for my funeral. I think people should celebrate life at funerals... is that wierd? (I know I spelt weird 'wierd'... look at #16.)

43. I have never ridden a horse. Truthfully, I don't think it would be able to hold me.

44. I am HORRIBLE at math... but I'm okay with that.

45. I LOVE spicy food

46. I don't know how to swim... YET!

47. I have a secret fascination with Chinese astrology.

48. I have a hard time balancing things in life if my family life is interrupted.

49. I think if I cut my hair short, I would look like a boy.

50. I collect pens.

51. I don't like people that walk behind my desk at work without an invitation.

52. I think the Japanese culture is really interesting

53. I am an aspiring novelist.

54. I've always wanted to pet a bear. They look so fluffy!

55. Eventually I want to own a llama

56. I am currently seeking my degree. :) Thank you University of Phoenix! >i am a phoenix!<

57. I believe in the power of the mind. I use it all the time. :)

58. The most embarrassing moment of my life doesn't embarrass me. Does that mean it doesn't count?

59. I miss the ocean more than anything else in Hawaii

60. I know some sort of 'karma' exists...

61. My favorite TV shows are: Bones, Pushing Daisies (sad that they cancelled it...), NCIS, How I Met Your Mother, Chuck, and Project Runway

62. I have always wanted a photographic memory.

63. I don't understand people that are two-faced.

64. I think honesty really is the best policy.

65. I have had a crush on Glenn Frey from the Eagles for... forever. :)

66. I am a sushi connoisseur. I LOVE sushi!

67. At times, I find life too strange to be real.

68. I LOVE COOKIES!

69. I experience déjà vu on a regular basis.

70. I love indie films.

71. Apples make me hyper.

72. Although I am ‘OCD,’ most of the time my room, car and office are messy. I am now learning that being ‘OCD’ doesn’t necessarily mean I have to be a clean freak…

73. I am a clean freak from time to time…

74. I also collect keys. I have a bag of them at home.

75. I just recently started texting, and truthfully, it’s overrated. I’d rather just talk to someone.

76. I love peridots… and have always secretly wished it was my birthstone.

77. I have a quirky sense of humor, and have yet to find anyone that ‘gets it.’

78. I am atrociously bad at grammar. I blame it on the Hawai’i school system…

79. Water is my favorite drink next to orange juice.

80. I desperately want a dog when I get my own place. It will be either an American Bully or Mastiff

81. I am good at what I do. :)

82. Being happy and positive is the only way to be!

83. I am a perfectionist.

84. My favorite color is chartreuse

85. I taught myself how to play the uke… off the internet, no less. :)

86. It takes me a long time to ‘rouse my faculties’ in the morning.

87. If I could do anything right now, I would go base jumping. :)

88. My favorite flowers are (in order of preference): Pakalana, Lehua, Tube Rose, Pikake & Pukenikeni

89. My head is 23” in circumference.

90. I never seem to have ‘luck’ with anything. (You probably don’t want me to go to Vegas with you…)

91. I think my best feature are my feet.

92. I can listen to a person talk and not hear a word.

93. If you want me to wake up, all you have to do is say my name.

94. I secretly love the fashions of the 1970’s.

95. If someone asks me for a random word, “potato” is the first word that always comes to mind.

96. I make my own sound effects…

97. Pistachios are my favorite nut.

98. I am VERY particular with my bedding. I like Down Comforters, Soft pillows, and Egyptian Cotton sheets.

99. My dream car is a 97 Ford Bronco.

100. FINALLY!!! :) My nationalities include: Hawaiian, Filipino, German, Scottish, Irish, and possibly British.

Potato Salad

I don't necessarily have anything important to say. I had an emotional breakdown last night. I've been overdue, so it was nice. I feel Extraordinarily tired today... probably due to the fact that I was in hysterics and had to call my brother Adam to calm me down. Thanks Adam! I know I can always call you at 1 am here (9pm there) when I'm having emotional turmoil. :)

I decided that I really will need some sort of way to weed out bad future husband 'potentials.' Like a survey or something like a 'pop quiz.' The reason being that I don't want some guy that will say something similar to:

"Well, I didn't really think they meant eternity... did you?"
"This is just getting too hard."
"If you don't stay home with the kids, it's over."
or my favorite:
"I think 20 years is good enough... and I don't love you anymore."

These are all actual things people who are close to me have been told by their spouse in the past 2 years. If you think about it, marriage really is a lot like Russian roulette now days. How are you supposed to know that whoever you're marrying won't turn out to be a jerk? That they won't decide one day that marriage is just too hard, and they want out?

Marriage is supposed to be hard sometimes. If you don't struggle with someone, how can you expect to stay together? Life isn't easy. It never will be, and when you're married, you have to deal with a lot of crap. Don't people understand that out of adversity comes understanding? Heavenly Father KNOWS what we are capable of, but how will we know unless we are pushed to the limit?

I guess I'm becoming jaded to the concept of marriage.

I was reading this blog, and I really do agree with her. I'm tired of what my friend Susi calls the "Peter Pan" Syndrome. Guys (It seems especially here in St. George) just don't want to 'grow up'. They think marriage is something amounting to them slacking off for the rest of their lives, and the women clean up after them, cook their meals, and make babies.

Don't get me wrong. I am happy to have my own family, and I love cooking, but marriage is supposed to be a partnership. Since when has it become the 'standard' that women stay at home and men go "bring home the bacon"? I think that's why I love my family so much. My older brother is a stay at home dad. He is pursuing his career, but his wife has the steady job. AND my oldest brother is always encouraging his wife to pursue her career and be the best she can be. What up guys?

I guess I'm mostly irritated at the fact that guys here are looking for a "Stepford Wife" or as Susi calls it, the potato salad. You know... when you're at a bbq, you always try the potato salad. It's the same with some girls. They get all the attention, and the other side dishes are overlooked. (I know I'm referring to women as food, which seems counter productive... but we all know that Mormons Like Analogies.) But, like I said to Susi the other night. I don't want to be the potato salad. I want a man to love me for who I am... not what I look like. AND, If you find someone that likes (for instance) rice, they will eat rice for every meal for the rest of their lives. You can only eat so much potato salad...

A note from me to all you 'Peter Pans' out there. Stop being intimidated by strong, educated women. We're AWESOME!!! Funny, interesting, thought provoking, and I'd like to think, way good looking. (I'm referring to myself... ;) )

meh. I have my whole life ahead of me.

Fixing my face

SO, a lot of you know that I have 3 brothers.

I was chatting today with the youngest, Sean. We were basically complaining to each other... him about the costs of education, me about life in general...

Anyway, at the end of the conversation, he told me to 'Fix my face.' Some of you may not know my family, but we are straight up with each other when something is bothering us, when we're being too emotional or WHATEVER. 'Fix your face' is something we say to each other as a way to express: "You are being entirely too critical and emotional. You need to readjust your attitude and stop complaining. Thank you for your cooperation."

So, I'm blogging to fix my face.

I don't know why I am emotional. I don't know why I've been whining. It's not like me to complain all the time. I've never been one to be envious, etc. Why is it that when I come to the mainland, all I can do is complain? I should be GRATEFUL!!!

I Love my life. I have good friends, an awesome place to live, a great job, a fantastic family... I should be shouting from the rooftops about how amazing this life is. I'm a lot better off than a lot of other people...

I'm going to stop complaining.

Face = Fixed. :)

off-putting...

I think something about my personality is off-putting to some people. I like to think that I am a nice person, but... who knows??? My friend Susi says it's because I don't care. Care about what??? I care. Just because I don't think I should have to pretend to care when I really don't...

Is that what is comes down to??? Pretending things matter so that other people can feel good about themselves??? Wouldn't it be better for all of us if everyone just told the truth??? Maybe not. What would the world be like if everyone told the truth, no matter what? I'd like to think that it would be a lot better than it is now... but maybe we need those lies. Are the lies we tell to each other AND ourselves really that important to a civilized society? Who knows...

I've been feeling especially philosophical and punchy lately. I just want to argue. With everyone. Argue isn't the right word... DEBATE!!! I want a debate. Do they have debate clubs for the elderly? I need to join one.

I just have to keep to my mantra: Life is good... life is good... life is good...

Bill Nye the Science Guy

One of my favorite television shows of all time is Bill Nye the Science Guy. If you haven't ever seen this TV show, I encourage you to watch it. He has such a great presence AND you're learning about the world as you watch! :) Here is a link to a pretty sweet episode called 'Dinosaurs': LINK. FANTASTIC piece of television history. :)

Life has been pretty laid back lately. I feel like there needs to be a change somewhere in my life, but I haven't quite figured out what I want to change. Thanks for listening. :)

Toradora! and rethinking things...

So, some of you may not know this about me, but I LOVE watching Japanese Anime. :)

My favorite of all time is Naruto, but lately I've been watching an anime called Toradora!. It's about a group of High School kids, and what happens to them as they go through their last year of school together. If you're interested in watching, Click Here. Such a great show.

I guess what is really bringing on this blog is something with the storyline of Toradora! that relates to my life. I want to publicly apologize to Jim. I've mentioned him a couple of times, but I want to set the record straight. I've made him out to be a really jerky guy... but in actuality, I should be grateful to him. He was a great friend to me, and now that I look back, he really did try to spare my feelings. I know that I was just too pig headed and stubborn to really understand. I'm grateful for the experiences that we had, and I'm finally learning to grow from them. I just wish that I could talk to him about it. Unfortunately I can't... but if you happen to come across this, I'm sorry. I want nothing but happiness for you and your wife (and in the future, kids! ;) ) You never deserved any of my bitterness. I know you were trying to be a good friend to me, and I ruined it for the both of us. You will never have to worry about me again, because I FINALLY understand what those years were about. I hope in the future that we can rebuild what we had... a really good friendship. Thank you for being there for me when no one else was. You will never know how much you saved me from, and how you changed my perspective on things. Good luck in the future, and be good to your wife.

I hope one day he can forgive me.

Equip Yourselves!

Hello All!!!

So, I've noticed that a lot of my blogs are sort of "Gloom & Doom" types. Sort of weird because I perceive myself as a positive and optimistic person... Hmm... Sorry about that. I'll continue to try to be funny and witty in my future blogging. :)

This weekend I took a concealed weapons class. I have been thinking a lot about purchasing a firearm for my personal protection and well being, so when my Uncle told me he was teaching a class this weekend, I took him up on the offer. :) It was a pretty cool class. I like my Uncle a lot, and we get along pretty well, so it was cool to chill with him in his element.

I'm still not sure about the whole "I am willing to take another person's life" aspect of guns, but taking the class REALLY taught me a lot about perceptions of weapons AND why it is important to have the ability to not only to purchase a firearm, but to have the RIGHT to bear arms.

Our constitution CLEARLY states that we have the right to bear arms. This means (for all those who are a little slow on the uptake) that we, as American Citizens, have the right to own a gun for personal and familial protection. I am SO happy I live in the United States of America. This really is a great country. It's sad to see corruption and idiocy... BUT Susi eased my mind somewhat when she reminded me that the Priesthood will save the country. I truly believe that.

Anyways, Overall a good weekend. It was EASTER... which I don't really ever celebrate, but it was fun anyway. I went to the Lafaele's and had pork and chicken and slept on their back porch. It was way fun. :)

Also watched Slumdog Millionaire this weekend. It was a pretty good movie. A little disturbing at some parts, but overall well done. I think it's earned it's rating of 'R' but, it's mostly because of the 'theme.' It's set in the slums of India, so you can use your imagination.

Something I stumbled over this morning... for all you peeps who do not know what this is a cartoon of, Google burqua, and you can educate yourself. :) I hope you ENJOY! :)

Arizona

For my birthday, I was lucky enough to be able to go to Arizona twice. :) The first time was to Page, to spend time with my grandma and Uncle Kelly, who's birthday is the day before mine. It was good times! AND I got to have a steak. :)

The second time was a road trip to Phoenix, planned and executed by my friend Susi. I have to admit, that starting out, I was more than a little anxious about the whole thing.

If you haven't noticed, I'm somewhat obsessive compulsive.

Unfortunately, Susi is not, and she tends to like to 'leave me in the dark' on purpose to 'break' me of my OCD-ness. Good luck with that. ;)

SO, I'm sitting at home, worrying about not having enough stuff with me. Do I need a swim suit? Do I need some major allergy medicine? Do they have wi-fi there? You know, the norm. And the anxiety grows and grows all night. Thursday, (the day we left) I ask Susi stupid questions like: Are we hiking? (lol... not likely) Do I need a pillow? Is my bag too big? etc. I'm actually surprised that she was so patient with me. Maybe she took pity on me. :)

We left Thursday night, and took a 6 hour drive to Phoenix... wait. 7. It was a nice drive. I wish it was light... I like long drives where I can admire the scenery. Highlight of the drive down was DEFINITELY the Hoover Dam Suspension Bridge. Amazing piece of architecture. :) Also a highlight-- I got some cool glasses that I've dubbed 'Dorothy Glasses' because they remind me of the glasses that one of our volunteers, Dorothy, wears. :)

Some may ask, why did you take a road trip??? Well, the simple answer is... because we could. Also, it was supposed to be a combined birthday trip. We originally wanted to take our friend Lani with us, because her birthday is in April, BUT unfortunately she couldn't come. :( Any who... back to the story...

Phoenix is home to one of my favorite places to eat... The George and Dragon Pub. :) A pub with British food. Not really anything to blink at, but the food is exceptional, if not VERY good. (even though the service was atrocious. I think the waitress was wanting to serve the drunkards instead of us 'eating folk'...) While in Phoenix, we went to the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, the temple, and the Biltmore Shopping Center.

Saturday morning, we headed to Tuba City and Cameron. It was a really nice drive. On the way to Flagstaff, there were a lot of places that looked like Kona. It really made me homesick. :S Any ways...

So, we get to Tuba, and visit the Justice family. Super nice family. We actually met up with two of the older Justice kids in Phoenix. Their family is so nice!!! :) They also own all the "Pizza Edge" restaurants in the Tuba area. They totally hooked us up. It was AWESOME!!!

We stayed at the Cameron Trading Post. Really nice rooms and WAY good Navajo Tacos. :) Went to the Grand Canyon as well. SOOO beautiful! I really liked it a lot. We stopped at a gulch on the way back, and it was really cool. There were some really awesome signs along the way that explained flora and fauna. It was SUPER cool.

After the gulch, we stopped on the side of the road and Susi had some mutton and hominy stew. We also got some of the best fry-bread I've ever had.

On the way home, we saw the Vermilion Cliffs. I just really like that word. VERMILION... :)

All in all a great trip. I think on my next road trip, I'll have better musical selections. Also, probably will save up some more money, and look for antique shops. :)

La Officina

Hey everyone!!! I wanted to post pictures of my office... which is where I do a lot of my blogging... and everything else! :)



So yeah. That's about it right now. I'm thinking about moving sometime in a year or so. We'll see how that works out. Oh, and I'm going to our second 'girls night out' tonight. Apparently we (meaning me, my roommate and her sisters, their friends, and my friends) are supposed to do it every month. :) I'm really glad to get out with my roommate. I feel like I am the worst roommate ever. I'm never home, EVER... huh. Laters...

It's your birthday.

Hey everyone!

A few things. I've been watching all the past episodes of The Office that I've missed. I stopped watching, because Michael Scott's character just got to be too tragic to make it fun to watch. However, the two newest episodes are pretty funny. I don't want to ruin it for anyone... so SPOILER ALERT!!!

In the past two episodes, Michael is out of the office on a lecture series, so Jim and Dwight are in charge in Scranton. They forget Kelly's birthday, and have to make up for it, which includes brown and gray balloons, a sign that says:"It's your birthday.", and a birthday cake that has no name on it. I won't go into it anymore, but a lot of times, I've felt like Kelly in those episodes. Not only about birthdays, but you get the idea. ;)

I also watched He's Just Not That Into You. Great movie. Surprisingly. It looked like it wasn't really going to be good, but it was done VERY well, and needless to say, I had a lot of revelations. Like: A guy isn't into you if they aren't 'making things happen.' Well, DUH!!! But, women really do have a HORRIBLE habit of making things more dramatic than they need to be. So what? He's not the one. Get over it and move on. I've always told my friends that if he's the right guy, everything will work out. That doesn't mean that you won't have to work for it, or make things happen, because relationships are work. However, things will be a lot easier. Take it from me. I've had a lot of one-sided relationships, and it works better if BOTH of you know what you want, and how you want to achieve it. Communication is always key to a good relationship. It doesn't ease the heartache when someone really hurts you, but don't make undue drama, just because he's hott. There are plenty of fish in the sea. :)

Valentines Day is tomorrow, and I just wanted to talk a little about how the holidays are treating me in all my single glory. A lot of girls will probably say how much they hate this time of year because of all the 'Love in the Air.' Some of us feel like we have gas masks on-- making us unable to breathe in this so called 'Love.' lol. BUT, holidays aren't really that bad this time around. I've realized that even though I'm not 'taken' being single isn't that bad. I have friends that I can spend time with, and a family that loves me. Why focus on the negative when so much positive is there??? :)

Tonight's agenda includea karaoke at my favorite spot and possibly a dance. :) Good times had by all!!!

I'm SICK!!! :(

So, I'm sick. It's funny how I can go YEARS without getting sick, and then BLAMO! I get hit twice in the past 3 months. :( I hate being sick.

Lately I've been trying to save money by cooking more often at home. Something I've come to LOVE is my brother Josh's recipe for Mabo Tofu. :) It's a Japanese dish with beef, miso, onions and tofu that is TO DIE for!!! I've included a picture of my version, which I have made 2 times already! Delicious!


I'm glad for this time to just kick back and explore the things I've always wanted to do, like cooking, camping, graphic art, budgeting, going house shopping (not that I'm in the market...), and traveling. I'm grateful for the time to get to learn about all these things (and more) and just figure them out. Especially traveling. I'm planning to do a lot more traveling this year. I think it's all due to not only my 'single status' but also just breaking free from my debts. Thanks budgeting!!! You're the best!!!

So, I'm afraid of the dark. Not many people know that about me, but I go out of my way to NOT be alone when the lights go out. I just found out that one of my cousins is also TERRIFIED of the dark. I'm not that bad... I think for me it's the unknown that scares me. Just a note of other things I'm afraid of: clowns, spiders, being alone, heights, commitment, failure... i think that's it. It's a life goal of mine to confront my fears, and overcome them. Or at least try to. I think the hardest one for me will be spiders. I literally FREAK OUT when I see one. Childhood trauma. lol

So, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!! lol. Sorry, I forgot to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year. It's the year of the bull, and supposedly its supposed to be a good year for those born under the Rat sign (like me). I don't usually go for any of that kind of stuff, but it's fun to read. :)

I think I'll start posting recipes that go well on this page. Oh, and if you ever want to know more about the eating situation here in St. George, check out my food critic blog I've made with my trusty side-kick, Susi: www.eatinginstgeorge.blogspot.com. :)