"Remembering their sacrifice. . ."

5.30.10. I am grateful for those who have come before me, those who have sacrificed for us: mothers, fathers, grandparents, family, friends. . .who give us life and make life worth living.

Fosi took Sonny with him and the boy scouts to put lei and flags on the graves at Punchbowl, Sonny's first time (even though he's not a cub scout, yet). Fosi made egg sandwiches, we watched the UH Wahine softball beat #1 Alabama in a thrilling ending. I'm glad Sonny had the experience today. Even though I have my issues. . .I'm grateful for everyone in our lives who sacrifice for each human being. I have compassion for people everywhere who suffer because of hatred and tyranny and abuse and war and I know that, in our current human mindset, this is the way the world is and certain safeguards are put into place to deter that evil. But God's love and Jesus Christ has shown us the way to a higher law, a higher love and if we can each share a little of that kindness and love everyday in some way, we combat those evil things and make the world a better place (in our hearts and minds, in our families, in our communities and in the world). Fed the missionaries, holiday tomorrow-HOORAY!!!

"Is It Gonna Be Another Busy Saturday!"

5.29.10. I am grateful for a long weekend and another busy Saturday: hip-hop class, shopping, flag football, swimming and hopefully, a date night with my hubby. . .we'll see!

Exhausted and still a lot to do today! Relaxing at home and on Skype with Roni and Kalani tonight. . .love some girl time on-line!

"Date Night with Sonny"

5.28.10. I am grateful for date night with Sonny at Chuck E. Cheese, where a kid can be a kid and a parent can spend too much! =)

Half-day at work after the EPIC potluck (wraps and salads) and an interesting laundry making demo by Theresa. Relaxed and then had date night with Sonny at Chuck E. Cheese, fun fun!!!

"Sex and the City is Back!"

5.27.10. I am grateful for watching SATC 2!!! Finally, after 2 years, welcome back ladies!

After a long week and several meetings, I finally saw SATC 2 with Dinah! It wasn't as good as the first one, but I loved seeing the girls again and it was fun and a style fest. Girl power!

"CP Hui Retreat"

5.26.10. I am grateful that my event was a success and is OVER. Best of all, I'm ending the day with da BOMB chocolate cake! Yums!

After a long week of preparation, near panic attacks and little sleep, the CP Hui retreat went off well. Loren catered and made the bomb cake to end a great night!

"Working Late"

5.25.10. I am grateful for working late and my boys bringing me dinner and keeping me company. =)

Another long work day and my boys brought me dinner and kept me company. So grateful!

"Meatloaf Mondays"

5.24.10. I am grateful for making my first meatloaf! (Sorry cows! I'll try tofu next time!)

Yes, I did, it wasn't that great, but I tried! Was too tired to work late at night again, so good, some shut eye, gonna be a long week!

"Sundays with Sonny"

5.23.10. I am grateful for Sundays with Sonny.

Sundays with my boy. . .left church early, Zippy's, went with him to work cause I have trainings and a CP Hui retreat to prepare for. Sonny came and played toys in my office. Fosi came over after the Sunday Evening Discussion. Love my time with Sonny.

"A Full Saturday"

5.22.10. I am grateful for a much needed restful Saturday: massage, pedicure, watched my son play flag football, nap, dinner with my boys, movie night and Roselani ice cream. Now that's a good day!

Nothing like a busy Saturday. . .maxing and relaxing!

"Hawaiian Music and Good Friends"

5.21.10. I am grateful for spending my Aloha Friday unwinding with good friends listening to da best Hawaiian music!

Aloha Friday and when Lise called to say she and Kainoa were going to a movie and wanted me to join them to listen Hawaiian music at Pac Marina, I just HAD to go! We went after Fosi and I met with 1010 Financial counselors (Alan Akina's company). We are going to change our financial situation for the better! Gotta track our expenditures for the week. Music was great. Gobbles, Ho'o, Hala Akaka and Zippy's and conversation afterwards. Got Hale's number so I can take guitar lessons from him, he's good! Love music and good friends!

"Sometimes, you just gotta laugh out loud!"

5.20.10. I am grateful for things that make me laugh: people, situations and things that just make me laugh out loud ( and my doggies often make me smile and laugh!).

So I woke up this morning and found Ma'a in mom's chair, comfortable and spread eagle, as usual. He just made me laugh out loud. Love him and Mele. Amidst all the business at work and going to the Aliamanu chapel to check out their glee rehearsal. Saw Paul and Mona, asked if I could do anything for Aunty's funeral, it will be on June 12 and I can't go because of Youth Conference-darn!

"A Beautiful Life. . ."

5.19.10. I am grateful for the wonderful life of my Aunty Louisa. We will miss her and love her. So grateful that Families are Forever.
What a day: started with picking up the final graphics from Jared, buying goodies from Great Harvest, seeing Dr. Brown (deciding to move on to someone different), Youth Conference meeting, laulau, poke and poi for dinner and then finding out Aunty Louisa "Aunty Lois" finally passed away in a hospice. She was my favorite aunty, mom's older sister, she was 84. Always beautiful, graceful, lively, sassy, energetic, full of life, hard working, and had the BEST scary Kohala stories-EVER! She used to come visit us and stay with us. She took me through the temple and always had sage words of advice. I can hear her calling me 'girlie' and mom, 'sister'. Now, the two sisters are together. She was the one that reminded me most of mom, looks like her. I'm glad she's home with her husband, son, parents and siblings that have passed on, but we'll miss her here. What a blessing the gospel is, knowing that we'll see and live with our loved ones again. Families are Forever.

"Green Pancakes"

5.18.19. I am grateful for mint chocolate chip pancakes with ice cream! Mahalo Theresa!
It was an 'oink oink' kind of day, lots of food being eaten at work. I brought pan de sal and Theresa made mint chocolate chip pancakes with ice cream, kinda like a sandwich and it was ono! Spaghetti and other goodies for lunch. Na Wai meeting at night, lots of planning to complete album and get ready for the Bash!

"Girls ROCK!"

5.17.10. I am grateful to be a female musician that rocks with other great women musicians-GIRL POWER!!! (Congrats Z on your graduation, thanks for letting us play for the ceremony!)
Rocked tonight at the HPU Nursing pinning ceremony at Koolau ballrooms with Jen Wright for Zaysha's graduation. It was nice, love to rock with girl musicians. Bought plants for the office today, looks great. Off to FHE and feeding the missionaries at the Nauahis now. Aloha!

"Where Heaven Meets the Earth"

5.16.10. I am grateful for spending a beautiful Hawaiian Sunday morning at Lanikuhonua.
Aunty Frances held a 'Spiritual Cord Workshop' at Lanikuhonua (it means 'where heaven meets the earth' in Hawaiian), a beautiful and sacred spot next to Paradise Cover, owned by the Kawananakoas and used for weddings and parties. It was just gorgeous and peaceful and looks out on the ocean and a healing pond or 'aniani ku'. I went to help Aunty with a testimony and introduction, along with O'Brien and Kim Kaimana. Then I left. Dinah and five others from the lomi scene were there and she said afterwards that they had a good workshop. It was Aunty's first 'for pay' workshop and she was nervous and excited. I was thrilled for her, I'm glad her gift will can be a blessing to other through workshops like these and a chance for her to earn income for her ohana, like she wants and deserves. Other than that, it was a peaceful Sunday, church was good and there is seminary graduation tonight. I'm home alone working on loan modification papers (fingers crossed!). Another great and busy week ahead!

"King's New Palace"

5.15.10. I am grateful that King has a new fale, out of the sun and rain. Dogs (and werewolves) RULE!!!
So after agonizing over the tent we purchased not going up, the neighbors cut their grass and finally (with coaxing from Fosi) put up the tent for King. We're SO happy he's out of the hot sun and rain. Wish he had a better house and longer chain, but I'll pick my battles. Cleaned the office (started to) today, went to Sonny's flag football and worked on stuff for Aunty's metaphysical class tomorrow, I have to introduce her. The We are Samoa festival was today at PCC with the high school competitions and fire knife championship. Wish we could've gone. Productive day.

"Bucca de Blast!"

5.14.10. I am grateful to have gone out with my two dear friends who I NEVER get to go out with. . .Bella and Kainoa, we had a Bucca de Blast! Let's do it with the whole gang next time (they missed out!).
Got off half day, after shopping for frames and plants and chairs for our new office. Went out that night with Bella and Kainoa, was supposed to be with Kalani and Luisa, but they both bowed out. Well, we had a blast eating too much rich food and ice cream at Bucca de Beppo and catching up, fantastic conversation and rolling down to the Pac Mariana to watch a couple songs-love Hawaiian music! What a great night! Love my friends!

"Facebook, baby. . ."

5.13.10. I am grateful for Facebook. . .need I say more?
So, I had a great meeting with the Youth Leadership Board, lots to work towards. They're inspiring and have to model leadership qualities at the same time. They're great. Came home late and, what can I say, on FB. Didn't have a pic to be grateful for, so I though, what the heck? I am grateful for FB, I check it throughout the day. It keeps me informed and connected and it's fun! Need I say more?

"FOOD, Inc."

5.12.10. I am grateful for watching FOOD, Inc. at work today. . .WOW. . .it was an eye-opener! Everyone should watch it! I will try to: eat less red meat, buy more organic and local and plant a small garden.
Watching FOOD, Inc. was disturbing and inspiring all at the same time. The food that we eat, the way it's actually made, the companies that control the majority of the food (the evil Monsanto empire) is CRAZY! Makes us want to go back to the 'aina and simple living. So, I will continue to move forward with little steps to change mine and my family's life and the world. Went eating and shopping at Whole Foods that night with Fosi and Sonny, expensive but yummy! (Even with moldy blueberry scones, lol.)

"The Singing Youth of Zion"

5.11.10. I am grateful for the awesome youth who participated in the Stake Glee Rehearsal. . .they ROCK!!!
So, the Glee night is almost upon us, and honestly, I don't know how it's going to turn out. Amidst ward concerns, we held a Stake rehearsal on the Samoan ward night and it actually turned out pretty good. They're trying hard and sound pretty great, but, we need to get more mics or else no one will be able to hear them! Yikes! I love our youth and I love to hear them sing. MI and MII ROCKED it like rock stars!

"Aunty Lois"

5.10.10. I am grateful for families. . .God Bless You, Aunty Louisa!
Got the word that Aunty Louisa had been flown by helicopter to Queen's hospital for brain surgery and Dinah, Austin and I went to visit her. We ate at Zippy's afterwards. ( I would've taken a picture of her, but she liked to look her best in photos, so I respected that.) She's my favorite aunty, she took me through the temple while mom assisted Nani. She was always (and still is) so beautiful and well-groomed and strong and spunky and told great spooky Kohala stories. She's 84 now and to see her a bit forgetful (although she didn't forget the stories of the good ole days when she used to be a scrapper!) and in a hospital bed was sad. Especially given the fact that she looks like mom. So we were the last to have a coherent conversation with her before she went into surgery. . .2 surgeries later, they said their good-byes and thought it was the end, but, wouldn't you know. . .she's still kickin. If it's her time, it's her time, but if she has any say in the matter, she'll stick around for a bit more!

"Happy Mother's Day"

5.9.10. I am grateful for mothers. For my mom, Hazel Kamahea Yamamoto Parker (we miss and love u mom!), my mother-in-law, Laloifi Afalava Ulima, and all my family and friends who are moms, God Bless You today and everyday. Miss u, our Fifi Mama. .
Fosi cooked and cleaned for me today while Dinah, Sonny and I met the Parkers in Laie to clean mom and Feala's grave and visit with them. A wonderful lunch awaited us: ribs, hot dogs, potato salad, crab, fa'i, cake. I have the best hubby! Then off to church and home for dinner and awaiting another week! So tired. Trying to get over being upset about giving a tent to the neighbors for King and them not putting it up yet. I trust that all will be well! Love and miss you, mom! Thank you God, for moms and motherhood. I need to strive to be a better mom everyday!

"Mormon Helping Hands"

5.8.10. I am grateful to have participated in the Mormon Helping Hands service project at Keehi Lagoon Park today with Moanlua I and II wards.
Up bright and early, helping Fosi with setting up the BBQ at Keehi. He was in charge of making the food for the ward. Mormons across the nation provided service in their communities, we wore matching shirts and cleaned the park. Then to Sonny's flag football, picture taking in the HOT sun and shopping for my new office. Dad blessed my office and we prepped for Mother's Day. Whew! Long day and I'm tanned.

"My New Office"

5.7.10. I am grateful for my new office and for playing with Na Wai at D&B's.
What a day. . .moving into my new, spacious office and decorating it. Enjoyed the evening playing with Na Wai at D&B's rooftop. Mahalo to our family, friends and co-workers for coming out to support us. Kalani, Theresa and I went to L&L, the jam sesh for a little bit and then headed home. Good times!

"Road Trips. . ."

5.6.10. I am grateful for road trips in life and to the other side of the island today. I LOVE Hawaii and the green, majestic Koolau mountain range!
So I got to take some time off in middle of the day for a doctor's appointment in Kaneohe. The drive, as usual, was spectacular. It had been a while and I'm always so refreshed by the beauty of this land, so grateful. Had a YW meeting at night.

Happy Boy's Day!!!

5.5.10. I am grateful to the boys in my life who make a girl feel blessed. . .Happy Boy's Day to Sonny, Fosi, Ma'a, Dads, my brothers, nephews, family and friends.
Boy's Day and I feel lucky to be surrounded by wonderful men in my life: my hubby, son, dog, dads, brothers, nephews, friends. I may want to strangle them sometimes, but what would life be without them? Bought lunch for one of my buddies and had dinner with my two men. =)

"The One and Only Willie K!"

5.4.10. I am grateful to record with Na Wai and the phenomenal Willie K!
We had the opportunity to record a Christmas song, "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree", with Willie K for his Christmas album. He flew down and we recorded at Shawn Pimental and Michael Grande's (cutie pie) studio near Ala Moana (Audio Media Studios). It is really nice in there and we did a great job in only an hour. It was a lot of fun and we earned good money for it. We dropped off our dear friend, Karey Oura, at the airport and rehearsed for Friday's gig at Dave & Buster's at Bella's house. The new husband made spinach dip and chicken lu'au and it was ono loa! What a long, but blessed day.

"Crazy Hair Day"

5.3.10. I am grateful that my son teaches me how to have fun and enjoy life. . .it was 'crazy hair day' for him at school, gee, everyday is crazy hair day for me!
Ah, the joys of festive school days. . .my son insisted on us buying him at least 3 colors for his hair. We had one at home, so he ended up with blue, green, red and yellow. He got comments at school about looking like a shave ice or a beach ball. He was so adorable. Wish I could look cute on my crazy hair days!I exercised (hooray!) and we had dinner out for FHE.

"St. Haagen-Daz"

5.2.10. I am grateful to St. Haagen-Daz, patron saint of ice cream. Really. . .I just LOVE their ice cream bars!
A typical and busy Sunday. Exhausted from the weekend, but did laundry, cleaned the room, cooked. Then off to church and spent the evening paying bills. With another week ahead, at least I could relax with a nice ice cream bar!

"I Always Cry at Weddings. . ."

5.1.10. I am grateful and blessed to have been a part of Luisa and Kawika's wedding day. Congratulations to them and their 'ohana!
So, the day had finally come, when the last single member of Na Wai decided to 'tie the knot'. It was a small and intimate wedding. With only a couple weeks of planning, Bella and Don really put together a nice wedding for the Pelletiers-limo, photographer, lunch at Sam Choy's (complete with candy and cupcake buffet centerpieces and favors). The color theme was red and yellow. Aloha wear was the theme. The ceremony took place at Kakaako Waterfront Park and the lunch buffet was delightful (chocolate mousse cake rocked!). Sam sang (gorgeous. . .I cried) and the 'Na Wai husbands, with Kandice, took photos. There was a slide show and the couple danced (with a great song mix with the kids talking in it. . .I cried) then they and said their thank yous. Set up at Sam Choy's at 8am, ceremony was at 10am, lunch from 11am-1pm, then pau! What a full day, stayed home and rested that evening.

"Freaky Friday"

4.30.10. I am grateful for a full Furlough Friday!
Wow, what a day! Talked with Fosi until 3am, breakfast at the Pancake House with the aiga, birthday lunch for Grandma Litara's 80th birthday in Waipahu, met Orepa, finally. She was so happy to see Sonny and thanked us. Took pictures, then off to Kyle Massey's birthday party with laser tag. It was a blast! I played laser tag and Sonny loved it, then home with a bunch of teenage boys for overnighter-tents in the yard, chicken on the bbq, off to Waipahu where I left my shoes, then to Bella's to help with last minute details for the wedding. This time tomorrow, Luisa will be a married woman, wow! I'm tired-what an emotional and busy day, thank goodness I took off!

"What's a Wedding without a Die-Cut?"

4.29.10. I am grateful to spend the evening with the girls preparing for Luisa's wedding.
Work, a new office chair for my new office, chocolate cake from Costco's, got off at 2pm, haircut and color at 3pm, favors and centerpieces at Bella's with Aunty and Fita and Bella. More straight talk from aunty. . .resulted in a very interesting evening.