Month: January 2014

Spared

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Your home is on fire. Grab five items (assume all people and animals are safe). What did you grab? My family survived Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Our house, unfortunately, did not. From that experience alone, there are some things that are sealed and packed in the event of a disaster, like important documents and family heirlooms, all ready for easy transport. Of everything taken by the hurricane, I mourn the loss of my childhood pictures, so obviously, whatever photos I’ve accumulated since then would be included in the things I save. Photos are truly invaluable and although my parents tried to salvage as many pictures as they could, I’ve resigned to the fact that I’ll need to rely on my memory to remember my childhood. It’s not an easy feat since as I get older and my mind is filled with more and more noise of the present, the fuzzier my distant memories get. Luckily, there are still a few pictures that trigger memories of a simpler time and a high burning metabolism.

Two Cents Tuesday Challenge: Painting

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“What does painting represent for you?” – Graffiti on a wall, framed flowers in the hall, a masterpiece old or abstract bold, the sides of a house, finish on a car, commercial or couture … While I appreciate looking at art made with paints, I really love the intricacies of woven fabrics.  My favorite is looking at the beautiful tapestries made by the women in Peru.  The colors and patterns that are made with the weaves are so lovely.  I am always amazed when I come across one of them.  These woven tapestries can me worn or just hung on your wall. You can find many of these tapestries sold at various locations in Cusco, Peru.  There are stores that sell them, but you can also find them when visiting tourist locations. Take a look at other blogs participating in the Two Cents Tuesday Challenge: Painting

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Walk 100 Steps or less and take new photos

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It’s pouring buckets today in Hilo nei.  As I stepped out of the office the rain was covering the gorgeous stock of ti leaf.  It made me so happy to see the rain after all these days.  Hopefully it will clear the vog so I can breath easier, too. Check out other blogs participating in Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week: http://ceenphotography.com/2014/01/28/cees-fun-foto-challenge-walk-100-steps-or-less-and-take-new-photos/

Daily Prompt: BFFs

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What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from the person you’re the closest to? The intricate bond of friendships that can truly last the test of time is a precious gift. My life would certainly be less exciting and lonely without the company and wisdom shared with such kindred spirits. With the help of my canine “bestie” (Fritz) and my husband (Captain Bo), these snapshots illustrate how friendships have enriched my life. The pearls of wisdom gained from friendship: Love is UNCONDITIONAL You are NEVER alone Always remember to have FUN Just call out my name… and I’ll BE THERE Enjoy the JOURNEY http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/28/daily-prompt-friends/

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Found In Nature

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I had the opportunity to visit Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, with my friend Wendy Karner.  I met her while living in Chile when I participated in the Rotary International Ambassadorial Program. We spent a week walking around the island exploring all the beauty of the place.  Here are some of the things we found along our journey. It amazed me how you could find scattered throughout the island so many moai as you walked through the pasture.  I have not been back for a while, but when I visited, you could walk right up to the moai and touch them if you wanted.  I was worried that vandals could ruin these huge sacred boulders. I hope I am able to return to this lovely island and get to see the wild horses as well as the moai.  It is such a majestic place to visit where I met many warm and kind people.  Hasta la proxima vez, Rapa Nui!    Check out other blogs participating in Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week.

Lunch, what?!

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Whew, it’s been long day. One event done, and another one scheduled later today.  I have 20 minutes of a break for lunch.  I am hemming and hawing if I should grab lunch down at Island Naturals or pick up a spam musubi from the lunch kiosk.  Do I have time to drive down to the store?  Will I be able to make it back and enjoy my meal? As I contemplate what to eat for lunch, I watch a flurry of people walking past me.  A see a group of folks chatting and laughing near a picnic bench.  I glance in another direction and there is a group huddled in a corner peering intently at a laptop screen.  Geez, why cannot I decide what to eat.  Then, I get a whiff of coffee being prepared at the coffee cart a few yards away.  My stomach is growling with anger.   I know lunch has come and gone, but I need to refuel.  Hmm, maybe I’ll just grab a chai latte and a muffin at …

Daily Prompt: Prediction for day 211

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There are 344 days remaining in the year. Describe what you’d like to be doing on day 211. Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 ~ It’s carpool Wednesday. According to Google, the sun is expected to rise at 5:50AM; the Captain (my husband) and me will be coasting on Old Mamalahoa Highway towards Kailua-Kona. The start of a typical workday. The Weather Almanac predicts temperatures to reach 84°F in Kamuela, Hawaii; ideal weather conditions for outdoor activities. Ahh…another gorgeous summer day in paradise! Who could resist a dip in the ocean for a quick cool-down and some low-impact cardio? Sunset projected at 7:11PM. Moon Phase will be Waxing Crescent, a perfect opportunity to get some evening photography done from the front lawn with a glass of Rombauer in hand of course! And we close our day eternally grateful for ALL of Life’s blessings. http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/daily-prompt-future-3/

Reflections of an IRON(WO)MAN’s Journey

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If anyone would have asked me if I was interested in doing an Ironman triathlon in my lifetime, I would have laughed and told them they were crazy! After all, you must have a few screws loose to entertain that idea, right?! Well….. that’s what I used to say 🙂 It all started in 2002, when one of my best friends from college, Paola, asked me if I would be interested in doing a triathlon in honor of her grandmother who had passed away from Leukemia. The organization we would be training and fundraising with was called Team in Training, an organization that raises funds and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I had no idea what a triathlon was, but I am a sucker for sentimental and heartwarming causes and I signed up after attending an Informational Session and hearing stories of those who had been affected by blood cancers such as Leukemia, Lymphoma, or Hodgkin’s disease. Initially I had signed up for the shortest distance, the Pacific Grove Sprint Triathlon in Monterey. …

Labor of Love

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Describe your last attempt to learn something that did not come easily to you. I am fortunate to be able to learn something new everyday, whether it’s something at hula or a new skill at work, but the one endeavor that continues to prove challenging is learning Korean. I’m normally very good at languages, so perhaps it’s because I have very few opportunities to use it or that I’m struggling to learn a whole new writing system on my own, but it is the one thing I can’t seem to master. I’ve been at it for the past 10 years and am unable (or perhaps unwilling) to walk away. One of these days, my stubbornness will pay off or I’ll give in and take a real class instead of trying to piece it together by watching k-dramas or listening to k-pop. I look forward to the day I’ll be able to communicate effectively in Korean and won’t need to rely on someone else’s subtitles. via 365 days of writing prompts, The Daily Post @ WordPress

Stranded, but Happy

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You’ve been kidnapped and given a choice: would you rather be stranded on an island, dropped into an unknown forest, or locked in a strange building? Being held captive and awaiting escape or rescue might be different from starting a life somewhere new, but given this hypothetical scenario, I would hope to make the most of the situation and live comfortably. It’s not a surprise that I would choose to be held captive on an island. I already live on one and am much more familiar with an island lifestyle than any of the other possibilities. Hawaiʻi Island, my home, is one of the most ecologically diverse in the world. Beaches? Of course! Forests, grasslands? Yup and yup. The environment is part of the reason why I continue to be in love with this place. There is room to breath. There is room to roam. And there is room to grow. Hawaiʻi Island is geologically young. It’s still covered by lava and soil is in the beginning stages of being created for most of the …

Weekly Photo Challenge: Family

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This is Adrel, resident Holoholo Girls’ bestie and the brother I never had. By looking at this photo, one might think I terrorize him on the daily, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. He’s always down to laugh, eat, and try new things. Most importantly, he isn’t afraid to look silly. This photo confirms his awesomeness. Weekly Photo Challenge: Family | http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/photo-challenge-family-2/