May 27 2007
One thing that I have learned from Shari is that you can’t take life too seriously. When things don’t work out the way you planned, work with what you have and make your own enjoyment. Today was no exception.
Here’s our fun-filled vlog entry, which, simply in the making of it, made the day a much better one.
Hope you enjoy watching as much as we enjoyed making it. 
Jan 05 2007
We had the pleasure of going out for a fun-filled evening of karaoke with Mahealani, her new husband Eric, and his family from New Jersey. As karaoke newbies, I think they did fabulously. Here’s a 2 minute vlog entry to show you how we do karaoke in Hawaii. Watch scenes from our January 2, 2007 karaoke night in champuru vlog #6. Click the PLAY button to watch.
Joe and Kamu belt out “Gump” (ala Weird Al) at the top of their lungs.
Mahealani is all smiles. At karaoke, she’s in her element.
Everybody needs their own groupies.
It’s Kamu — pointing. Again.
Oct 05 2006
I’ve been meaning to pick up Keith Nakaganeku’s new CD since I saw him perform at the Okinawan Festival. Tonight, I purchased it online at the calabashtheband.com website. (Thanks for the heads up, Richie!)
Keith is a very talented performer and I’ve always known him as a classical Okinawan musician, but I was absolutely floored by the versatility of his singing style when I heard him singing in Hawaiian falsetto. Not only is he super talented, he is a really good fun guy!
But don’t take it from me. Richie has written a great review of the CD. (Because, that’s what Richie does!) When you’re done, go buy the Calabash CD!
Sep 24 2006
Summer is so fleeting.
I’m one of those people that determines that summer begins with the first bon dance — and ends with the last (even though the last bon dance is called the “Autumn Matsuri”). By my calendar, summer ended last week Saturday.
The last bon dance of 2006 was held on September 16 at the Hawaii Okinawa Center. This particular bon dance is unique as it is held indoors. Although it lacks the charm of outdoor obon festivals that are marked by dancing around the yagura under the stars by the light of the chochin lanterns, it is nice to have the luxury of air conditioning and shelter from the elements. It rained this year, so I was especially thankful for the indoor venue.
Apparently, bon dancing has grown in popularity and this bon dance was very well attended in comparison to years passed. This year’s highlight (besides the dancing, of course) was the super sweet corn that the Young Okinawans were selling. Brushed in butter and delicately crunchy, it was so delightfult that I couldn’t eat just one. It always comes back to food, doesn’t it?
Here’s a little video clip of me (wearing the red hapi coat and the cheesy smile) and Mahealani (in yellow) dancing one of our favorites, “Tenyo Tenyo.” Unfortunately, we always seem to find ourselves without flags, but the hand motions are adequate enough for us.
Where did the summer go?
Sep 06 2006
Last night, I drove for 3 hours and close to 70 miles all in the name of avoiding the unprecedented west-bound traffic gridlock that resulted from a freak accident involving a flatbed truck carrying a crane that struck a pedestrian overpass. The force of the impact took a sizable chunk out of the overpass, rendering it unsafe to pass beneath. It resulted in the complete closure of the H-1 freeway just before rush hour. Diverting all of rush hour traffic from the freeway to Kamehameha highway is like trying to funnel the flow from a firehose through a drinking straw. That’s probably only a slight exaggeration.
If not for Joyce, my good friend and trusty navigator, I probably would have opted to hang out at the office for a few hours and brave the traffic going west on Nimitz Highway — probably the worst route possible. My co-worker took the Nimitz highway route and reported taking 6 hours (SIX HOURS!!) to get from downtown to Pearl City, arriving home at the ungodly hour of 2:30 am. Instead, Joyce and I enjoyed a relaxing dinner at Gordon Biersch, Aloha Tower Marketplace, overlooking the harbor as the sun set over the ocean. We then took a quick run to Ala Moana Shopping Center to pick up an electronic Sudoku puzzle at Shirokiya for Joyce (and manju and anpan for me), then hit the road — the long way home.
Looking at the display on the dashboard, we noted that it was 8:28 pm when we left the parking lot. We entered the freeway, only briefly, to exit on the Pali Highway and proceeded on to Kahekili Highway where we drove through small towns that we rarely ever have reason to: Punalu’u, Hau’ula, Laie, Kahuku…
Honestly, the 3 hour drive didn’t seem that long to me. The good company made all the difference. We mused about aging rock stars from the 80’s (the good, the bad and the ugly), reminisced about when we first met at Okinawan dance class, and laughed hysterically about my noisy windshield wipers (you had to be there). What had the potential to be a truly terrible night ended up being an enjoyable and therapeutic time for the both of us.
After dropping off Joyce at home, I noticed the time: 11:42 pm. I lifted up a prayer of thanks to the Lord for a safe arrival and for the company of a wonderful friend on the eve of my birthday, even though it was spent taking the scenic route in the midst of the worst traffic snarl in Hawaii’s history.
Aug 23 2006
Talk about serendipity! A late afternoon phone call from Renee resulted in a quick detour off my afternoon commute and sent me home with a “bento box” full of the most delectable mochi ever.
When I got home, I handed it to Hubby and told him that it was a “get well” gift for him. However, he couldn’t eat it until I was done photographing it. The look on his face was priceless. (I felt a little remorse for torturing him like that, but it was fleeting.) He waited eagerly as I carefully staged the mochi on pretty plates that we never use for daily consumption and photographed the mochi from various angles.
Finally, I was done. The sweet taste of mochi on his lips was enough to lift his spirits after a tough week of recovery. Thanks for being so thoughtful, Renee! That act of kindness certainly blessed our “happy hearts.”
Aug 20 2006
I may add some commentary later, but for now, enjoy the visuals. More photos are also available on my Flickr site.
Kamu and Mahealani
Kristie and Shari
Eileen, me and Doreen
Mike
Joyce and me
Keith and me
A 30-something Christian girl, blissfully wedded to her perfect match (the yang to her yin) of 14 years. A new mom to her miracle baby, born on October 4, 2008. Living life in Hawaii, less than 5 miles from her hometown, a slave to her mortgage payment, but seeking balance in her pursuit of family, faith, recreation, and rest.
