I Braved the Mall

I got up at 8 am today. I mean not just got up, but I was out of bed and in operation by 8 am today. That is a big deal in my life these days.

Bro came over and Mom says that he and Dad are going Best Buy and maybe PR Shopping Center. Since I was up, and had slept adequate hours, I decided to go with them this time. Maybe I could get Bro to stop by Uptown [Dad thought he might go to PR Downtown].

We went to Best Buy first. I looked at some of the P&S camaras and saw a couple I wouldn’t mind having. I surprised myself by controlling the visible drool over the DSLR, tripod and Rocketfish Lens Filters I also wouldn’t mind owning- hey, I’d make good use of it all! [By the way, after two years, I think I’m killing my P&S. I have literally taken thousands of photos with it and I think it’s close to protesting seriously].

I was tempted to get “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It comes with both the color and the b&w versions. And a commemorative bell. Really, I just wanted the bell. No, I’m kidding. It’s a wonderful movie. I just love the sense of a strong, caring community. I told myself that I didn’t need it right away; it could wait.

The movies were upstairs. As I let the escalator carry me down a level, halfway through I noticed this BB worker guy look up at me... and then away... and then at me again. I never know... nevermind.

Then it was over to Uptown and The Body Shop. The sales associates were so sly, standing at the door with a supply of bags. One caught me to give the sale spiel, handing me a bag... and it sorta worked. Gifts sets were 30% off, and if I would donate $5 at the register, everything in the bag would be 50% off. Nice. Though, I should have asked more about who they were donating the money to ‘cause I didn’t quite catch it. I know that the company is a part of community trade and against animal testing.

I said the spiel sorta worked because I was there looking for some specific things. I wasn’t expecting to buy right away, yet for someone who isn’t compelled to shop there for many things that often, I might as well buy things when there’s a great sale going on. Previously, I hadn't been in that store in years.

So I got my home fragrance oils and a few gift goodies for others. All totaled, I saved about $20 on 6 items. Not bad, not bad at all.
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So, Best Buy was not in the mall; The Body Shop was. About 7 years ago, I stopped going to the mall during the Christmas season. I don’t like crowds. I don’t like watching people spend crazy money that I don’t have, and most likely the money that they don’t have either. I don’t like stepping on wild, loose kids and then getting into a glaring match with their mothers. I don’t like looking for parking and then forgetting where I parked because it’s nowhere near where I usually park in order to remember [I have done that before, thinking my car was stolen; that’s another story]. I am saddened by hearing sales people say “Happy Holidays” simply because they’re compelled to by their boss or company [I’ll give my thoughts on that another time; basically, I’d rather have employees be free to say their greeting however they want].

That has led to not going to malls often in general, and often getting creatively crafty in making presents [though I didn’t make them this year]. I might enjoy going to the mall on a Tuesday morning, more so to hang out than to seriously shop. Or sometimes eating at the mall can be a good time.

Today, the mall was not so bad. We were there early, got good parking on the first lookout, it wasn't crowded. I quickly made the purchases. In, out, no problem. It had taken about 15 minutes, car-store-car. Back in the parking lot, it was crazy. We had beaten the crowds.
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And now for something totally unrelated: there has been a baby gecko living in my room. Amazingly, with nights getting colder and all three cats frequenting my bedroom, the baby has kept mostly unseen.

Tonight, it explored my desk. I had washed my hair and was getting ready to dry it. I had the heat protectant spray bottle on the desk. Suddenly, there baby was, squarely on top of the bottle, lookin’ straight at me.

I tried to take a picture of it. The picture came out dark, and so I decided to turn on the flash, thinking the flash might scare it away but I might have a better picture. It was remaining quite calm.

I guess it didn’t want pictures taken… because it jumped right for me!

It landed on my pant leg, so I took a picture of it. And it stayed there. So I shook it off.




Also, I am conducting experiments on [safely] burning matchsticks. The findings are quite fascinating. Perhaps more reports on it later.

The end.

Merry Christmas!

People Investing

I think I’m better around people, if only when I’m around people, I’m not thinking about troubles. And that scares me. I may be better around people but I’m not good around people.


Several days last week, I spent with people.

Last Sunday, several of us hung out after church, drinking coffee and just sitting around, talking. It almost felt like old times. It also felt like looking in.

Tuesday, I watched a friend’s bowling match. Tree did well! Her last game, she bowled a 162. I watched her get in a few strikes and spares. Considering I’m a gutterball pro, I was certainly impressed. Afterwards, Tree thanked me for coming, once by voice and another by text.

Then I went to a meeting since I was in the area.

Thursday, I went on a hike with the guys. It was a good day for a hike. The first time I hiked Manoa Falls was about 8 years ago with Crusty and her friends. It seemed much different this time. I remember steeper inclines, more mud, and more space between the greenery. I wonder if maybe we didn’t go as far this time and so didn’t reach the vision of my memory. Or I was confusing it with a different hike with Crusty; we definitely went to Manoa Falls and past it because I have pictures of us.

The guys and I came across some green bamboo that reminds one of scenes from “House of Flying Daggers.” The guys tried climbing the bamboo, which I must confess; I would’ve liked to try, if I had a stronger upper body and guaranteed toe protection. A remnant of a tomboy still lives in me. It was entertaining to watch the guys try.

And my toenail is completely gross. I slid in my shoe again. For a moment, I could feel the blood clotting in my toe, or at least that’s what it felt like when it hurts bad. Another hike ending in barefootedness for me, yay! Maybe I should just hike in slippers from now on….

Friday was to be a busy, long day. Lunch with Squeakers didn’t happen ‘cause I forgot Mom would need the car and Squeakers needed to be somewhere by a certain time, not giving us much time together. We’ve been trying to get together for weeks now.

I made it to prayer time with Minister. These moments haven’t failed to bring up good discussion. I’m still wondering how to be a part of bringing about good change. Towards that, Minister seems to be up on a lot of information that I don’t have. One of the bigger questions is, when someone at some time in the past has dropped the ball, how can another now pick it up again? I suppose I’m also trying to figure out exactly what the ball is. A piece of it is mentoring, I believe, but perhaps it goes a step further than that.

Then it was off to be a witness to a new year of Joker’s life, a life with which I am grateful to have crossed paths. This year, it made me face how much I missed in the past year, and how much I wish I hadn’t; it was a difficult situation and I’m not going to take all the responsibility for it. I had hoped to see Polar and Tenor at dinner also, but that didn’t happen. The horses, however, did make an appearance.

The next day, a few of us went to the beach, me and the guys again. I don’t mind being the only female trying to keep up with the guys, it seems to depend on the guys though and this was a good gathering. Polar was there and we had a little time to talk. I couldn’t say the hard stuff and so I forgot to also say that I had missed him.

It was another beautiful day. Food from Keneke’s, always good. I just wanted a mini katsu for lunch but Polar, who paid for my food, said I couldn’t order a mini and got me a regular; I had the other half later that night for dinner.

At the beach, while the guys dug the traditional hole in the sand, Joker scooped up a huge crab. Pineapple let the water wash him up [on his board] on shore. Then he made like a sea turtle, trying to pull himself up further while still lying on his stomach. Pineapple got stung by a man-o-war. I’ve never been stung before. I did the girly thing: exfoliated. My legs feel super smooth at the moment! Another confession: I am jealous that the guys can bodysurf. I can’t even get going on a board!


So despite all the talk about how I want to climb with the guys and surf with the guys, I still love being a woman! I just wish I was better at chasing my athletic endeavors.

Update: I heard back from Honolulu Habitat for Humanity! Except, they had a cancellation a couple Saturdays ago and on short notice, so I turned it down. I was supposed to spend time with Squeakers that day. But, they said I would be put on the waiting list; they’re booked till November. Imagine that, a waiting list in order to volunteer time! Well, they only work on Saturdays. Still, I’m excited. While I wait for that, I’m looking into possibly volunteering with the food bank.

The end.

Visiting With Xairo: The Full Release

The other night I attended Xairo: The Full Release held at Leeward Community Church. It was a good energizing time of full-out worship and other performances in the Christ-Community.

I drove into the parking lot and was guided by a police officer and church volunteers. Parking was on the lawn. They had it pretty well organized, having marked off lanes with cones and such.



Inside, to open, Third String Redemption warmed up the crowd with some worship. Then an area up front was cleared for the performance by the All Nations dance crew. More worship with David Tamaoka & Band.

One of the songs, “One Way,” was a song that I’ve sung many times but something caught my thoughts this night. In the lyrics are the words, “We live by faith and not by sight for you.” Previously, I’ve connected these words with how Christians believe even in these days when we haven’t seen the physical Christ or even when we can’t point out and say, “Look, there is God!” This night, I also connected the words with how Christians have to live, being distracted by what other people say and do, being discouraged by this reality and with what we see in the world, feeling hopeless because of what we see in ourselves. As a Christian, one does live by faith, faith that God is here, that he is in control, that he loves us, that he redeemed us.

Which brings me also to a song I heard for the first time, “How He Loves” written by John Mark Mcmillan. David Tamaoka told us how he connected this song with the words of John 15:9 which says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” It was a good reminder that God loves his son so much, and that the son, Jesus, loves us with the same passion and intensity.

Next, the youth pastors of two of the hosting churches came up to talk about “The Full Release.” The main idea was that we may say we love Jesus 100%, but most of the time we don’t live 100%. We may be singing for Him 100%, then go home and be 20% with our family, 30% with our friends, 10% at our workplace or school, etc. How would it be to live 100%?! Imagine that!

Personally, I think that’s where I’m headed, allowing Christ in me invade all areas of my life so that no matter who I meet or what I face, people might recognize that there’s that something different about me. They might get curious enough to ask and I’ll get the honor of telling them, it’s all Christ’s doing. I couldn’t be a tenth of a good/ loving/ faithful/ ___ person on my own. Hopefully they’ll get curious enough to meet Jesus themselves.

The testimony of David Fong was next. I thought it was good and genuine. And I hope that it touched someone to become curious enough to find out for themselves. That’s another thing too, that we don’t really know what our lives are saying/ have said to someone else about faith.

Third String Redemption closed with more good worship. I mean, the place was rockin’! TSR pumped up the crowd, the crowd pumped up TSR- it was wonderful!


Afterwards, I hung around and got caught up with a few people I hadn’t seen in a while. I saw a pastor and wife that had been considered for our own church; they’re now at Leeward and say things are going well. It’s not like me to go and talk to people like that, people who don’t really know me and I don’t really know them, but they were pleasant and thanked me for saying hi.

Then I was listening to two friends talk about their ministry goings-ons. One of them asked me if I was the only one from my church there that night. My thoughts: Haha, pretty much! But I guess that’s just how I am. I see value in “crossing church lines,” in seeing what else is going on, (in general) in meeting people who are different, etc., and am willing to seek it out on my own if I have to.



That night was just, I wanted to see some people in the worship team that I hadn’t seen in a while and refresh those connections a little; I wanted to have a release in this joy that I’ve been experiencing and do so with all-out worship with others; I wanted to see what was possible. I think it came at a good time. I’m energized to keep on with what I need to do no matter the cost and imagine something possible! I’m not thinking of having a group to put on a worship/ message night ourselves, it’s a possibility, if we have such gifts and talents and such, but my friends also mentioned other outreach things going on, so I’m just thinking about what’s possible if I/we would try and thinking about how to get there, how to do it.

Oh, I forgot about the video they showed! It was the story of Rick and Dick Hoyt. Rick is a “spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy.” He cannot walk or speak of his own accord, but can communicate assisted by an interactive computer. He wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run. His father, Dick, helped make that happen. This is what I love about their story: Dick didn’t just run the race for his son or dedicate the finish to his son; he took his son along! Find more of their story here .

In a way, it’s kinda the role I’d like to provide for others, spiritually speaking. I know what it’s like to not recognize that there’s something more, to feel absolute hopelessness while wanting there to be more; I’d like to help guide others past such times to be open to the possibilities when we start getting behind Jesus, and hopefully they’ll start being able to see the possibilities on their own. It’s not an exact analogy, but close.

The Hoyt story is, however, a pretty good analogy for what God does for us; we get in the carrier and God runs the race with us- we run the race on his power, and we have to want it, to want to run the race.

Ahh, so much to take in! And now, to see about doing something…!

Good Morning

I was still awake this morning when Dad woke up. We went to Kay’s Bento (for him and Mom) and Tanioka’s (for me). I had to wait about 20 minutes before Tanioka’s opened, but the food is so worth it!

An old Japanese man and a Filipino guy were already there. After a while, the Japanese man started talking to me small kine. He said that he and the other guy were there just to buy bait. I couldn’t hear what he said he used for bait. Another Filipino guy drove up in a blue truck. The Japanese man said good thing he came early and beat the blue truck guy there ‘cuz the blue truck guy going buy all the bait. That guy catch ‘lotta fish.

At another stop off, a guy was coming out, followed by a young man about 11 years old. The young man held the door open for Dad and me. I said, “Thank you” and he said, “You’re welcome.” Oh, he had such a sweet little voice!

Just thought I’d share that. : )

Take A Hike!

This past Saturday, Level Up Ministry set out to hike Wa‘ahila Ridge.

My goal, towards the ministry, for the hike was for group bonding, physical exercise, and to invite friends, building relationships with them. My personal goal was to make it farther than I did last time I tried the hike with friends.

There was much group bonding and definite physical exercise by all! They had invited other non-LU friends but many of them were already going on hikes elsewhere. Out of about a dozen of my own non-LU friends… none showed up. One almost made it but wasn’t sure about how to get to the hike and messaged me late; I was disappointed but am very optimistic that he’ll come to another outing!

And…we went farther than we did the last time!

After rounding everyone up, Sonnie, Krystle, Adam, Matthew and I set out. It was a beautiful sunshined day. The trail was good and dry. It starts out with a long and steep incline- wet or dry, it’s a monster for me! Most of the way from there is either uphill or downhill, not a lot of smooth-going. There are also narrow spots.

A few areas, Krystle and I [being the short ones] were quite literally rock-climbing. I actually enjoy those parts! So it was a full-body workout. Krystle and I took many short rests, mainly after each incline.

Adam led most of the way. We kept going until an open grassy top where we all rested. The many moments of views for photo-ops were beautiful. Then we headed back.

We started out about 12:30, reached the open top about 2:30 and got back to the car about 3:30.

Beautiful day with great conditions, good views and good company. Everyone went and returned safely. They were all talking about it to other people the next day at church, saying that they had a good time. Except for not having any new people with us, I say it was a complete success!

Thank God for the whole wonderful activity!

I look forward to seeing you at the next one! :)

Masters Class

Texas and Fist picked me up around 6:30 am on Saturday to make the trek up North Shore. We got to Ehukai around 7, found parking along the street not too far. We got a pretty good spot on the beach. Texas took pics with her Nikon D60- I’m jealous! I will post some of my photos, but think what they would’ve looked like with a Nikon…D90…!

We were there for the third round of the Billabong Pipeline Masters. It was a beautiful day! Blue skies, few white fluffy clouds, gentle breeze, clean monster waves! We watched the surf stylings of Andy Irons, Damien Hobgood, John John Florence, Hank Gaskell and more. We saw perfect-10 rides by John John Florence, Kelly Slater, and Roy Powers.

It was amazing! Seeing it in person is much more exciting than hearing about it on the news. Being there made me interested in becoming a water photographer or being on the water patrol, like if I had been exposed to that when I was younger, I might have worked towards that.

All that was missing was a souvenir shirt, I should have gotten one. More reason to go again next time!

And Matsumoto’s to top it off. YUM! Lychee and tangerine.
[Click on the photo for a larger view]

She’s Shy

A couple friends and I went into Waikiki last night. The only things on the agenda were to visit the Tabora Gallery and Island Vintage Coffee.

Visiting the Tabora Gallery was for me. Years ago I had gotten a mini-print of Roy Tabora’s work “Napali Mist.” I looked up other works of his. I generally like his work. Something about crashing waves [often a subject in his work], especially of stormy waters, connects with me.

Then couple years ago I went to Waikiki to take photos. Walking around I found the Tabora Gallery at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Hotel. I didn’t know he had a gallery. The art associate there started talking to me. He said that Tabora comes to the gallery on Friday nights to work on a piece and talk with people. So I’ve been wanting to watch Tabora work, but never got to it; I didn’t know if anyone would want to go with me and I wasn’t going into Waikiki by myself at night.

So last night we got into Waikiki later than planned. By the time we got to the gallery, Tabora was still there, talking to visitors, but had finished working on the piece for the night. He seems to be a very lively and friendly person. I dunno what it was, maybe that he was talking to visitors to Hawai‘i and I live here, or just plain shyness on my part, but I didn’t get myself up to saying “Hi.” I feel like such a dork, I dunno what to say to an artist!

Well, maybe I’ll brave it next time. And I didn’t see the art associate I had talked to before.

Island Vintage was for Chemist. They make this drink, Tropical Sensation which is a berry tea. I had one, it was good! They put real strawberry and lots of blueberries in the drink too.

A lot of street attraction things were going on. Shops were starting to close but we went to a small shop past Lewers that’s kind of interesting, went to Midoriya, saw some interesting things at 88 tees, and Coldstone!

I had fun! Good times with friends, who can complain?

Is there an artist or artwork that you enjoy?

Mahalo for reading.





[We also visited the public restrooms at the Marriot. Nice restrooms.]

Look At Me! : A Better Kalihi/ Hawaii Breakaway 2009

Here are the rest of the photos from the A Better Kalihi/ Hawaii Breakaway 2009 collaboration!