One of the things I don’t like to hear when someone has a needle in their hand, taking aim at my vein, ready to impale me:

“Oh, I hope I can do this.”

Aye carumba. Please, keep your comments to yourself when you’re coming at me with a sharp object! At least let me believe you’ve done this a million times and never miss.

I stared at the crook in my arm, holding my breath as I watched the needle come ever closer to my skin. The silence was palpable. Once penetrated, it felt like a bee sting and I waited for the blood to flow into the syringe. As red began to fill the tube, we both let out a collective sigh of relief.

She proceeded to fill two more tubes and smiled at me, “That’s a good vein.”

Thank God for good veins.

Birthday Cake

Originally uploaded by Champuru.

So, I turned 32 today. It’s my yakudoshi year, no less.

The Japanese believe that yakudoshi years bring bad luck. I am generally not superstitious and neither am I a buddhist, so I have not taken any precautions against a “calamitous” year by visiting shrines or throwing a big yakudoshi party for myself, as popularized in Hawaii. Besides that, I’m not Japanese - I’m Okinawan. I don’t think Okinawans traditionally observe yakudoshi, do they? Well, whatever the case, I’m believing that this won’t pertain to me and that 32 will be a good year, indeed. *Knocking on wood, just in case!* Continue Reading »

Lanai High and Elementary School

Originally uploaded by Champuru.

The air seems cleaner, the people smile brighter and life moves slower, much slower, on Lana`i.

No traffic. Heck, not even a single traffic light exists on the entire island to delay your commute along the 1-mile stretch called Lanai City. It was pure bliss.

Although this was my third trip to my father’s hometown in the past few years, this had been the most significant. You see, my father is an alumnus of Lanai High & Elementary School, class of 1955. Graduates gathered to celebrate their 50th class reunion, most appropriately held in their hometown where memories and friendships were rekindled. Continue Reading »

I’m flying to Lana`i tomorrow. I hope to provide some updates via camfone — that is, if I can get a signal over there.

Have a great Labor Day weekend.

See you on the flip side!