"International Jam Sessions"

12.26.10. I am grateful for a post-Christmas massage, cinnamon rolls, last day of 3pm church and jam sessions.

Post-Christmas, Fosi and Timo flew to Big Island for Jayden's baptism tomorrow. We slept in, cooked cinnamon rolls at Dinah's cause our oven went out! She gave me a mini massage, then we went to church, watched videos and I enjoyed an international jam session on Skype! Plah Plah!!!

"Merry Christmas"

12.25.10. I am grateful today for another Christmas filled with loved ones (including those who have moved on), gifts, movies, food, blessings and a lifetime of wonderful memories. Mele Kalikimaka to all of you and Mahalo ke Akua for my life. . .

Mele Kalikimaka!!! Another wonderful year, another Christmas. Woke up, prayer, opened gifts. I got my 'Blue' cologne from Fosi! I went shopping yesterday at Gamestop and Footlocker for Fosi-headset and gift card. Sonny got his remote control car and other gifts. I rested, watched tv and movies, ate and had Bella and the crew visit and gave me a great gift of a session with Aunty. Made gifts to my siblings of photo collages and CDs with all the old pictures I had scanned in last year for mom's funeral and all the funeral pics. Had Christmas lunch with Apa, Elu, Eseka, Kesi, Fili, TJ. Elu and Kalini stopped by to drop off gifts-a miracle! TJ flew to the Big Island to spend the week with his grandma and uncles. A nice, mellow, enjoyable Christmas. Missed mom and Feala. . .

"Christmas Eve"

12.24.10. I am grateful for Kaneohe carolers and a Christmas Eve time to remember our Saviour, be with family and a marathon of Christmas movies!!!

Christmas Eve, again. I've had a season full of Christmas music and baked goods. I rested, watched Tulsa kill UH and enjoyed caroling from Lina and her 'ohana. Had a nice devotional with Fosi, Sonny, TJ and Timo and then enjoyed a night of gift wrapping and watching Christmas videos: Home Alone 2, The Santa Clause and Miracle on 34th Street. So many memories of Christmases past wrapping presents and singing and caroling and visiting and dropping off gifts with Feala and family and friends. I've lived such a blessed life. . .

"Here Comes Ulima Claus. . ."

12.23.10. I am grateful today for delivering Christmas presents to family, friends and neighbor dogs, singing for KCCN's holiday part and the QEC Christmas party and hanging with my ladies!

Well, our Thursday consisted of delivering presents to my visiting sisters, Sonny's family, dropping off the house, collar and leash to King, singing at KCCN's party and Luisa's work party at a co-worker's house in St. Louis Heights-very nice! Made enough noise until the cops came, lol. Then stayed up late talking to Lina and catching up. Another full, busy day prepping for Christmas.

"Dinner with Dinah"

12.22.10. I am grateful today for Christmas shopping and dinner with Dinah.

Last day of work for the week! Went Christmas shopping while Fosi and Sonny went to a basketball game. Went to Windward Mall and didn't get to resize Fosi's ring at Zale's, no Footlocker's, disappointing dinner at Ruby Tuesday's but at least one meal was free. Five day weekend ahead and lots to do before Christmas.

"The Christmas Carolers"

12.21.10. I am grateful today for Christmas blessings and the joy of Christmas caroling with our keiki for our family and friends.

What a wonderful night we had Christmas caroling with Bella, Luisa and the kids. Sonny loved it-all the kids had hats and noise makers and we sang to Nani and the kids, the Nauahis, a friend of Kawika's (they gave us baskets) and Lina's family in Kaneohe. It was fun, fun, fun and we dropped off goodies and sang. What a great tradition for our kids! I LOVE Christmas caroling!!!

"Genki Fosi"

12.20.10. I am grateful today for Carmen's cookies, Mac 247, light bulb moments, Genki Fosi and a dog house for King.

The days are leading up to Christmas and a lot to do. Sang with Luisa and Bella for Michael Livingston's company party at Mac 24/7, they paid us $200 each (mahalo!) and we ate there. At night, I went shopping with Fosi, looked for a house for King and bought him a house at Wal-Mart. He'll love it! Ate at Genki Sushi with Fosi. Had a light bulb moment with my dear friends in Aussie and Japan. . .hopefully it helps!

"The First Noel"

12.19.10. I am grateful today for keeping warm on a rainy day, Sonny and I singing in our ward Christmas program and spending the day with an old friend and his family.

Started with going to the Samoan ward with Sim and his family. Had to'ona'i-mom and dad cooked and we had a nice lunch with them and they hung out all day. Rain, rain, rain. . .and our ward Christmas program. Alyssa, Tichina and I sang a number, "The First Noel" and I think we did a good job. Sonny looked handsome in his suit and red tie, singing with the primary. After sacrament, we went back home to hang, eat and kanikapila with the Tiatia ohana. What a great Sunday.

"Festive Saturday"

12.18.10. I am grateful today for visiting with old friend Sim Tiatia, after many years, singing at the Funaki-Manutai wedding, the Kaneohe 4th Ward Christmas party and attending the adult Christmas party at the Nordgran's home-what a full and festive Saturday!!! I'm exhausted!!!

So my busy week hasn't ended, yet! Today was NUTZ! Sim and his sons came to visit in the morning, I prepared games for tonight's party at the Nordgrans. I picked up Lui, Belz and headed to the Funaki-Manutai wedding at Kualoa Ranch. It was beautiful and the set went well. Then to Kaneohe, ate delicious Hawaiian food and played for Bella's ward, Kaneohe 4th. Saw Kapewa. Then straight to pick up Fosi and headed to the Nordgrans, with couples, food, games, prizes and an all around fun time. I just crashed afterwards!

"Thanks, Wal-Mart!"

12.17.10. I am grateful for a Wal-Mart grant, Teen Day at the Kapolei courthouse and date night with Sonny.

It's been a busy week. Started the morning by accepting a grant check of $500 from Wal-Mart, prepared for and attended Teen Day at the Kapolei court house and spent the evening taking Sonny to use his gift card. He bought something for himself and his nephew and then we had dinner at Big City Diner and chilled at home while Fosi them went to the Iolani Classic. Sim's in town and we'll probably hook up tomorrow.

"Sonny's Big Win"

12.16.10. I am grateful for Sonny's big win today, breakfast with O'Brien and giving out lots of money to foster youth!!! Now THAT'S a good Thursday!!!

Attended Sonny's assembly, the choir and band performed, the choir was great! Sonny won a $75 gift card to Toys R Us-his visualization worked!!! I helped hand them out to all the winners, it was fun! Had breakfast with Fosi at the Pancake House and O'Brien Eselu was there, so we asked him to join us-we saw mom and dad and their friends there. Mailed out the checks and had a general great day and rehearsal for Sunday's performance at the chapel.

"Is That What You Call A Christmas Ornament?"

12.15.10. I am grateful for making Christmas ornaments with Sonny for the kupuna tonight and feeling like Santa Claus at work today (trying my best not to look like Santa this season. . .).

So nice to send out checks and gift cards to transitioning foster youth today, based on the grants awarded by the youth board. Gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. After work, great visiting with Aunty and took Sonny to BFS to shop for supplies to make a Christmas Ornament for the kupuna. OK, can I just buy the easiest thing and make one semi-ghetto ornament? Oh well, Sonny had fun making it right up until the time we argued and I wen sasa him, where was my holiday spirit? We made up. Tomorrow is his assembly and class Christmas party. He's visualizing that he'll win a gift certificate at the assembly.

"HI HOPES For Filipe"

12.14.10. I am grateful for all of the wonderful work accomplished today and this year by the HI H.O.P.E.S. Youth Leadership Board. They are making a difference for youth aging out of foster care-so proud of them!!!

Long day at work, had a HI HOPES meeting to interview for new members and they chose Filipe, a young LDS Tongan boy who has changed his life around and needs an opportunity to grow and develop leadership skills. I was so proud of the board members who chose him for those reasons and sure he'll make a good addition!

"Checking Out the Christmas Lights"

12.13.10. I am grateful for checking out the Christmas lights in downtown Honolulu and Kaneohe tonight. So beautiful!!!

Another week of festivities and work. After work, Fosi, Sonny, Timo and I went cruising to look at lights-downtown and in Kaneohe, took a few photos and listened to Christmas music. Visited the Faumuinas and bought Cinnabons, took it home and had it with cocoa. Lovely evening.

"New Beginnnings"

12.12.10. I am grateful today for teaching Relief Society, passing out Ulima Christmas cards and goodies at church and new beginnings. . .

So I was released from my stake calling today, seeing as Dawn moved out of the stake. It was sad for me, I had some issues, but I know that the right people are in place and the Lord has other plans for me. Of course, He moves quickly, and I was asked to teach RS today about the sacrament. I handed out our official Ulima Christmas cards and haole brownies and spent the night at home while Fosi went to his church meeting.

"Grants and Haole Brownies"

12.11.10. I am grateful today for being a part of making Christmas wishes come true for foster youth, date night with my son and mint cocoa with haole brownies!!!

HI HOPES Board meeting today-lots done, the youth went through board applications and grant applications-chose to interview 5 youth next week and gave out over $8,000 in grants and gift card donations. Its a good learning experience for them. Had a Chinese lunch for them, kinda a Christmas party without the gifts. Had them share what they like about the board and the person to their left. It was a nice moment even though I cried, what a baby! Lol. Bought haole brownies from Deb. Their ohana and Nani are selling to raise money for Christmas. I bought 8 cups to pass out at church and picked up our Christmas cards from Costco-nice!!! Took Sonny to use the rest of his money at Wal-Mart and dinner, then visited with the Kauhis and Aus's family and stayed home to rest and enjoy mint cocoa and brownies. The Christmas cheer continues!

"An EPIC Christmas Event"

12.10.10. I am grateful for a successful EPIC training and Christmas party and celebrating with the Peters' ohana tonight.

After a lot of stress and work, the EPIC annual training and Christmas party was a smashing success!!! Each department did a fantastic presentation (Admin did Hawaii 5-0), Big Island did a music video to Hoaikane's "Kailua Kona" but "EPIC Ohana is #1". Everyone was informative, creative, heartfelt. The food and decorations were fabulous, the company, the entertainment. Me, Val, Dayv and Brandy sang a cappella "Carol of the Bells" and "We Need a Little Christmas". Me and Bella led the group in singing and Theresa danced "White Christmas". Then me and Bella sang "O Holy Night". Brandy did her thing and Dayv was Santa and we did gift exchanges and got a letter and $50 from Arlynna. Straight to Walter Peter's birthday party and 1 year anniversary of Roman's passing at Empress Restaurant. TONS of food-took home Chinese and Polynesian. Some entertainment and dancing and went home to crash.

"Come Let Us Adore Him"

12.9.10. I am grateful for attending a lovely Relief Society Christmas dinner with my church sisters this evening and for my hubby helping to serve and clean up for the ladies.

The annual Relief Society Christmas dinner and social. "Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him" was the theme. Lovely atmosphere, food, singing, fellowship and talks from different sisters on their Christmas traditions that focus on Christ. It was lovely, touching, spiritual and heartfelt. I am grateful to be a part of such a wonderful sisterhood and be led by a great woman, Sis. Nauahi. Mahalo ke Akua.

"Time to Decorate the Office!"

12.8.10. I am grateful for decorating my office tonight with Fosi and Sonny. (Happy Birthday, Dinah!)

Fourth night of Christmas cheer. . .Fosi and Sonny met me after work and brought a snack and helped to decorate with my purple island decorations. I have to be festive at work! Another great night. Lots of work planning for Friday's annual training and party at EPIC. Dinah is 42 today! Hauoli La Hanau!

"Photos with Santa"

12.7.10. I am grateful for taking family photos with Santa Claus tonight!!!

Third night of Christmas cheer. . .took family photos with Santa at Pearlridge and had dinner there. Usually it's Sonny, but this year it was the three of us and it was fun! Came out great and I bought the CD so we can make it into Christmas cards-another first! We're on a holiday roll!

"Haul Out the Holly. . ."

12.6.10. I am grateful for decorating the house tonight-its Christmas at the Ulima hale!!!

It's a festive week here at the Ulima Hale! We decorated tonight and played Christmas music and had more hot cocoa with big Christmas mugs that Fosi bought. Put up all the stockings, new ones Timo decorated for mom and dad and him. No real tree this year, but the lights and pictures and old decorations bring back memories of Christmases past. I love Christmas!!!

"Banana Chocolate Chip Bread"

12.5.10. I am grateful today for Christmas movies, baking banana chocolate chip bread and hot cocoa on a cool evening. It's Christmastime!

Christmas at the Ulima Hale has arrived with hot cocoa and me baking my famous banana chocolate chip mac nut bread-delicious! The weather's been nice and cool and so we all enjoyed. Gonna decorate tomorrow.

"HI HOPES Hand Out Bags of Hope"

12.4.10. I am grateful for participating in the Family Programs Hawaii Christmas party for foster youth. The HI HOPES Youth Board pulled off a successful service project sharing "Bags of Hope" with transitioning foster youth.

What a day! After months of planning, the HI HOPES youth leadership board's "Bags of Hope" service project in conjunction with the Family Programs Hawaii annual Christmas Party was a success!!! 60 bags were handed out to transition aged foster youth, 14-18 mainly, some up to 24. It was a hit and everyone wanted them, filled with toiletries and resource information. The youth learned a lot and did a great job, despite the few ungrateful and rude people. Jen Cilfone gave them gifts and shirts and they ate. It was nice to have Fosi and Sonny with me there, enjoying and Sonny playing and getting gifts and them being there with me to help. Everyone except Jarvis (on Big Isle) and Adrian (sick) came. We took Noy home after and rested at home while Fosi went to a game.

"Christmas Around the World"

12.3.10. I am grateful tonight for a wonderful ward Christmas party. Moanalua I Ward rocked it with "Christmas Around the World." Great job to everyone for a successful event!!!

So the ward party was a success. I emceed, Fosi did music and the theme was the same as last year, "Christmas Around the World" put on by the High Priests. Each table was decorated in the culture and by assigned auxiliaries. YM-Africa (did Nago Haitian warrior dance, led by Timo, hilarious!), YW-Hula and Mexico, Silent Night in Spanish), RS-Chuukese marching solider dance, EQ-America, ward electric slide, HP-Japanes Silent Night and Okinawan bon dance. That was the best, the highlight of the night with the whole ward dancing it to a fun song. Primary-"Smooth Criminal" and Silent Night in Tagalog. Loren catered, good food, fun and Kaleo was Santa, gifts by Lokahi.

"Let's Tango!"

12.2.10. I am grateful today for business opportunities and Tango on my phone! Got to see downtown Sydney by phone tonight!

Attended the meeting for interested ATR providers, very interesting. Gotta roll along with that, lots to do and lots of potential for business! Used my Tango to speak with Roni while she walked through downtown Sydney, Australia-very cool feature! She showed me the bridge and opera house and took me into a pub! Gotta love technology!

"A Very Willie Christmas"

12.1.10. I am grateful today for lunch with Fosi, watching Sonny's Filipino hip-hop dance rehearsal (I'm not kidding, with the bamboo and everything), seeing Karey and getting a copy of Willie K's new album with Na Wai featured-love Uncle Willie! Buy the album, people, Happy Holidays!

Wow, this season is getting busier and busier. Had lunch with Fosi again, Sonny was asked to join 3 other primary kids to dance to Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" for the Ward Christmas Party on Saturday, hip-hop and Filipino bamboo dance, hilarious! Met up with Karey Oura, who's here on Oahu to do Neil's entertainment for his inauguration on Monday and she paid us the $1000 for Na Wai and gave us our copies of the Christmas CD. What a blessed day!

"You Raise Me Up. . ."

11.30.10. I am grateful today for participating in great meetings, a lunch date with my hubby, homemade cheeseburgers, rocky road ice cream and being 'raised up'! =)

Busy day, lots of meetings, pad Thai noodles with Fosi for lunch, Timo made cheeseburgers and I had rocky road ice cream. The big news of the day was that I got a raise, a big raise and I will get retro pay from September until now. The Lord always provides, why I think I have control over things is beyond me, trust and faith is what I must always have. Mahalo ke Akua.

"Packing a Bag of Hope"

11.29.10. I am grateful for a successful packing party for the 'Bags of Hope' that will be passed out to foster youth at the service project on Saturday. Everything and everyone came together to make it a great event! Mahalo all!

After weeks of stressing out about whether or not we'd get the items from Wal-Mart, it all came through. Bella and Fosi helped transport the bags and the whole HI HOPES board showed up to help and a number of people with items from the Hawaii Community Foundation. We only had to do 60 bags and it was all done in 1 hour! Then we had a pizza party there at the Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition. It was a successful event, now on to the party this weekend to pass it out! Fosi and Sonny fed the missionaries tonight.