Part 2 of the ongoing saga of our pursuit of parenthood… More later, but here’s the videolog. Click the PLAY button on the video window to watch.

Hubby and I are taking the first step toward becoming parents. Tomorrow we have an appointment with an infertility specialist to see if in vitro fertilization is a valid option for us. It’s been one year, almost to the day, that I had a laparoscopy/hysteroscopy/D&C and was diagnosed with endometriosis. Since then, my ob/gyn has been trying to convince me that I should see an infertility specialist sooner, rather than later. After all, I’m not getting any younger, she reminds me every chance she gets.

Well, life certainly has a knack of getting in the way and this was no exception. Truthfully, I had been waiting to finish my schooling, which would significantly reduce my stress level, and hopefully elevate my chances of a successful conception, in vitro or otherwise. When I finished my last class at the end of October, I called the specialist my ob/gyn recommended and made an appointment.

We’ve heard many things about this particular specialist; one of which is that he has an excellent success rate and that he is touted as one of the best infertility specialists on the island. In the next breath, former patients will usually admit that can be a little brusque. I tend to prefer doctors with a gentle bedside manner, but I will gladly forsake that in lieu of a successful in vitro attempt. I guess if you’re the best, you can afford to act like Dr. House. Well, hopefully he isn’t that rude, but hopefully, he is that good.

I am trying not to get my hopes up too high. In fact, I am not even allowing myself to be cautiously optimistic. We will wait and see. And pray. A lot.

I thought that it would be appropriate to start documenting this from the get-go. So, without further ado, here’s my latest vlog entry talking about my upcoming appointment with the infertility specialist.

Say hello the newest member to the Champuru family!

Serendipity! A belated Christmas present from Arnold: a Sharper Image iDog! There’s something about receiving a bit of gadgety fun that just makes me smile, especially when it comes packaged in such cuteness.

I recorded a video of him dancing to Weird Al’s “White and Nerdy” earlier, but thought it might be just a bit trite to post that as a vlog entry. (As if my other vlog entries weren’t “trite”.)

Help me name my iDog. Any suggestions? Leave me a comment or e-mail me at donna -at- this domain. Woof!

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas day!

Like most people, I have been indulging myself in holiday goodies of all kinds for the past few weeks leading up to Christmas. I consider it part of my coping mechanism to offset the hurried holidays. As the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season winds down, I’ve been noticing my weight going up. What an appropriate segue into the topic of new year’s resolutions and a short, inspired vlog entry to cheer me up and remind me not to take myself so seriously. (You know I must not be too self-conscious since now the entire Internet knows how much I weigh!)

It appears that when I get nervous, I get a stiff upper lip. I mean literally.

And, for the record, I’m not sporting a lisp. There’s some weirdness going on with my audio.

With my excuses disclaimers out of the way, this is my first vlog entry, just for laughs and to commemorate the completion of my Christmas shopping for 2006! Hooray!

The busyness of the season, added to the usual hecticness called my life, has nearly sapped all of the energy from my body and has left me very little motivation to update my site. My absence was not for lack of content, but for lack of time. Despite previous delusions that the completion of my schooling would bring all kinds of free time my way, it seems that any semblance of leisure and relaxation has been mysteriously sucked into the black abyss, leaving me feeling just as harried and breathless as ever.

So, to catch up, allow me to feature a photo-heavy update for your viewing pleasure.

Our Karate Dojo had a Christmas party - possibly the best party I’ve attended
Photo above shows the results of our “Santa Dress Up” contest. Good times!

I attended a one-week crash course in video production at the Olelo Community TV studios. After I turn in my minimum 1-minute short at the end of January, I will be “certified” and will be able to produce, direct, shoot, edit and air my very own community access television shows. I already co-produce a show for work, but I am hoping to put my newfound skillz to work on personal (note: “fun”) projects in the future.

I am now officially in love with video media. I hope to start doing some videoblogging sometime soon. If I wasn’t so unphotogenic, I’d probably have started videoblogging a while ago, but it’s tough to do an interesting vlog entry without actually being on camera. Although I grew up as a ham for most of my life, I’m finding that I am becoming increasingly averse to being in front of the camera. Behind-the-scenes seems to be where I am most comfortable these days.

Took a break and went on a photo expedition in historic Haleiwa town with Derek this past weekend

North Shore Christmas

Seeing this place (Ala Moana Shopping Center) more than usual

Discovering new places to eat: Koi Koi
Okonomiyaki at the Ala Moana Food Court

Okonomiyaki on a dime
Of course, not as good as Okonomiyaki Chibo, but decent
for a food court establishment

Feeling like this an awful lot

Did I mention that I’ve been so caught up in who-knows-what that I am only now shifting into high gear on the Christmas card/gift thang? I must learn to start earlier. June would be a good idea. So, if you get your card/gift a little belatedly this year, please forgive!

Christmas is five days away. I feel like I haven’t been able to really enjoy the season yet! I guess I better cram all of that holiday cheer into my system within the next five days or else I’ll have to wait until next year. Boo.

I hope you’re taking the time to enjoy your Christmas season! Remember the reason for the season. (And it’s not for retailers or to keep the economy going, by the way.)

I hate feeling kinky. (Not THAT kind of kinky. Get your mind out of the gutter.)

It must be the power of suggestion, but all this talk about massages and how long it’s been since my last one has totally kinked my neck. This is not your normal kink, but the type that is uncomfortable enough to severely limit my range of motion in the affected muscle.

Besides that, after a 2-mile jog on Wednesday, my hip feels like it belongs on someone twice my age. I wonder if I’ll be able to do Karate tomorrow?

I’m 33 and I’m already falling apart. Nah. It’s nothing that a 2-hour session with my massage therapist can’t fix. Right? If nothing else, at least it’ll be 2-hours of pampering that my tired, achy body could certainly use.