25 Things About Me

Sorry Coreen, I'm totally biting this off of your blog. But as I was writing down my 25 things, I couldn't help but think to myself, "self...this would be great on your blog!!!!" So here it is folks. 25 things that you may or may not know about me. Enjoy!!!

1. I am suffering from complete boredom...hence the completion of this survey. I should be doing homework, but with slow days at Kavaroots I gotta spread out the agenda.

2. I work at a little smoothie shack on the beautiful North Shore of O'ahu, Hawaii, called Kavaroots. Yes...we serve kava, and yes I have to mix it for the customers, but I forewarn them that it tastes like dirt. Yet, these tourists still want to try it. Go figure.

3. I make the best Acai bowls known to man. Well, so I've been told at least. Hahaha. But I like to think I do. But I know for a fact that we (Kavaroots) makes the best Acai bowls in Hawaii!!!

4. I am the youngest child of six, and am very spoiled by EVERYONE! My parents, AND my siblings. They all know it, yet they continue to spoil me. I'm not complaining.

5. I have been babysitting kids since I was 10, and will continue to do so until I leave this island.

6. I will be graduating from BYUH in December of this year, and want to pursue my master's at BYU Provo in Public Administration. I never, EVER thought I would find myself pursuing this type of career. But a visit from one of the teachers from the MPA program got me convinced that this is where I need to be. Go figure.

7. I've declared three different majors: Business Management, Information Systems, and then finally settled on Political Science. Can you believe it?!?!?! Thus making me your average 8-year student!!!! Ugh...but I'm happy to say I'm nearly done. For now at least.

8. I love playing volleyball! I don't play as much as I would like nowadays, but that was all I would do when I was in high school. I was the most dedicated player on the team. In one game a teammate from the back row shanked a ball, and I ran from the front row, all the way into the bleachers to save it. Unfortunately, I didn't know I was running into the bleachers, and I landed on my side, knocking the wind out of me. I wasn't embarrassed about falling, I was more embarrassed with the horrible sound I was making while trying to catch my breath!!! It was so gross. Ask me, and maybe I'll demonstrate for you later.

9. Going off of #8, not long after that I fall, I sprained my ankle (for the first and last time so far) during practice. I was forced to walk around school - the school on a hill that has buildings spread out along that stupid hill - on crutches.

10. While getting off the bus with the aforementioned crutches, one crutch slipped, and I fully fell down the stairs of the bus. THIS was embarrassing. What made it worse...my bus driver, who also happened to be my uncle couldn't help but laugh hysterically at me!!! How rude! Hahahaha. To make matters worse, I was late for class.

11. I hate customers that come to Kavaroots and ask stupid questions. Example (cause this just happened while I was typing):

Customer: "Can I just buy a bowl of granola?"

Me: "Uhhh...no. That's not on our menu. I would have to charge you a dollar per scoop, and it would take about 4 scoops to fill a bowl."

Customer: "Oh, ok. Can you add soy milk?"

Me: "Like cereal? I would have to charge you for that too."

Customer: "Ok, never mind." With the evilest stink eye EVER!!!!

Where does it say that we serve cereal?!?!?!?! It's a freakin smoothie shop. Ok...that was more of a venting sesh if anything. Just had to share.

12. I want to open up my own Acai shop when I move to Utah. I know the people there will LOVE it, especially the students in Provo. I'm just stuck on what I would serve during the winter???

13. I got lost at the swap meet when I was 5. I think this is why I HATE going to that place. Well, aside from the many trips taken with my aunty who would walk around the whole stadium five times and buy like TWO things! Eh!

14. I've been to Mexico twice in my life, but majority of the time was spent at the resort. I never really got the feel of what "real" Mexico is like, and I don't really have a desire to any time soon. Lol.

15. The only other time I've been out of the country was when my family and I went to New Zealand for our family reunion. That was probably the best family vacay ever!!! But I did feel sorry for my sisters. One of them wasn't able to come with us, and the other ones husband never come either.

16. I love going to Hana!!!! I literally feel one with the land when I'm there. The beaches. The mountains. Everything about nature. Just. Feels. Right.

17. I took 4 years of Japanese while I was in high school and have nothing but my Photo Poly career to show for it. Hahahaha. Yup...two years at Photo Poly in Japanese sales. Go figure.

18. When I was in second grade, I biffed it big time while riding my friends bike down Hau'ula Loop Trail. I ended up with a huge gash on my knee, chin and both elbows. I went home looking for sympathy, but all I got was dirty hurts from my mom cause I wasn't even supposed to be there.

19. Sometimes I love listening to "Spa Music." You know....the background music they play when you're getting a massage. I especially love the flute compositions. They are so relaxing. I think I got this from working in a spa. That was by far, one of my all time favorite jobs.

20. I love to read. I don't read as much now that I'm in school, but once I get started, I can read for days on end.

21. I think I have a little white girl living inside of me because I love watching The Hills. I think I would be an awesome friend to L.C. I would definitely wanna kick Heidi AND Spencer's trash. They're so annoying.

22. Outside of my family, I've only gotten into one fight. It was at a Lauryn Hill concert. Yup. I made Lauryn stop the concert. That's all I'm gonna say.

23. I love listening to my dads stories about what it was like growing up all over the island. Especially the ones about his time in Waialua. I really should record these story times.

24. I learned how to type (on a typewriter) when I was in kindergarten. Do they still do that?

25. I wanna learn how to surf, be a portrait/landscape photographer, and go to Europe. I'm excited to say that I'll be able to cross two of those items off my list. WOO HOO!!!!!!!

"Slim"..here i come!!!

ok...so the other day while i was cruising through the blog world i came a blog on ashleigh's page called the "The Great Slim Down." i noticed that the author of this blog was the old step aerobics instructor at byuh. she was the BEST! man...i would come out of her classes sweating like a maniac, in so much pain...cause she would totally kick my butt!!!! but i felt so good everytime i left that room. she moved away...and it just wasn't the same. *sigh*

anyhoo...i checked out her challenge, and have finally implemented it in my schedule this week. surprisingly, i've found myself motivated to adhere to every item on the list. with this being my first week, i wasn't able to check EVERY item off my list, but i can honestly say that i've done more than half! i push myself every morning to wake up at 6am and go to the gym. i used to ride my bike, but since its been raining a lot lately, i've been driving.

but i'm on the right track. i'm determined to make this a year of change in every aspect of my life. physical change being the most observable one. so far i haven't experienced that yet. lol. but, mentally, the change is there. spiritually...its coming along. so blog world. you are to hold me accountable. check in every now and then for any updates on this EXCITING journey!!!

The Wii

Nintendo has outdone themselves by creating one of the best game consoles made....EVER!!!! The Wii. Our family has enjoyed having this as part of our household for about 3 months now, and I must say, it has definitely brought our family together. Hahahaha. And torn us apart at the same time. Just kidding. Anyhoo...this game, more specifically, Mario Kart Wii, brings out the good, the bad, and the ugly out of everyone. The focus. The drive. The motivation. You would think that these people were going after that million dollar opportunity. Nope. It's the big number "1" that fills their screen after the race is over that they're all after. Huh....who knew.

But I have to admit, that I've had my moments of addiction. We recently fixed our router, so now we are able to go online with the Wii and download the old school Nintendo games. Games like, Super Mario Brothers 3...my favorite video game of ALL TIME!!!!! Well, that and Sonic...but that's another blog. Anyhoo...I've found myself totally addicted to that game. All I think about while I'm at school and work is going home just to play that game. Just yesterday, my SIL texted me while I was at work, asking how to fly in Super Mario Brothers 3. After I called her and gave her instructions, I couldn't focus at work anymore. Not to mention that it was totally slow. So, I had someone else come in and work for me so I could go home. PUH-THE-TIC I know!!!

The Wii has been on non-stop this weeked, especially since it was a long weekend, and we've all been pretty much non-productive. Hahahaha. Except for blogging that is. But now that its the first day of school for me since the long weekend, I'm thrust back into the real world. Hopefully I won't experience too many withdrawals...otherwise I'm screwed!!! Ahhhhhh! Help...I'm a Wii-aholic!!!!

The Magic of iPhoto

So, I recently got a MacBook and haven't really had much time to mess around with its new features. But the other day at work, after being bored with the internet, I decided to mess around with some of the pictures that i took while in Hana. That's when I discovered the cool editing features that iPhoto has. So, for your viewing pleasure, I give you a few of my "creations."





These are some of my favorites. And YES, I took these. Some of you may not know, but I have a hidden (well, I guess its not so hidden anymore) desire to be a photographer. I usually have no idea what I'm doing when I take pictures, but I like to mess around with different angles. Anyhoo....yay for iPhoto!!! Now, I need to go learn Photoshop!!!

New Year, New Semester

School has started up again, and I have an optimistic attitude about this semester. During the break, believe it or not, I couldn't wait to come back to school. I don't know where this new found excitement is coming from, but I was ready to hit the books. That slowlly started to fizzle out after the first day of school this past Wednesday. Mainly with my 4 credit class. The teacher nearly scared the crap out of me because he kept reiterating how difficult the course would be this semester. So cross your fingers, toes, and eyes and pray that I pass!

One of the perks about school is location. Look at the campus environment (see pic above)!!!! It truly is paradise. As I sit here, just outside of the library, and look out at the beautimous day that is today, I can't help but be grateful. The peace. The serenity. This. Is. Home. Here are a few pictures of the Ulu grove we went to in Hana. I told you I'd post some pix.





These are some of the reasons why I'm thankful I can call Hawaii my home.

New Years Resolutions

Yesterday was the first Sunday in my new ward Laie 10th. It didn't really feel like I was in a "new" ward considering I know most of the people there. But, I can definitely testify of the new spirit felt there. I told myself that this year would be a year of positive change, and I can already see that happening. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Laie 11th, and will always have my roots in Hau'ula 4th, but I see myself gaining a lot from Laie 10th.

To start off the new year, Karess gave an awesome lesson on Resolutions. It is exactly what I needed to start the new year right. Her lesson was on a talk given by Joe J. Christensen about Resolutions. Here's the link. I highly reccommend you read it. I usually don't make New Year's Resolutions, but after reading this article I was inspired to base my 2009 Resolutions on the four areas discussed in this talk.

2009 Resolutions

I resolve to expand my intellectual horizons, to increase in wisdom.

Lately I've been quite the voracious reader. I think I've read a total of 9 books in a period of 3 weeks. Some were just stories, but some were really thought provoking, which helped stimulate my mind. However, I resolve to read more "good" books that will stimulate my mind, and help me to grow intellectually.

I resolve to be a truer friend and to become more socially acceptable to people of high standards.

Maintaining my integrity is important, yet something that seems to be overlooked quite often. I have a bad habit of letting things "slide" to make others feel comfortable. So this year, I want to maintain those high standards that I believe in. This includes not watching rated-R movies. This was a huge weakness for me last year. I would always give myself the excuse like, "oh...it's ok if there's violence. As long as there's no nudity then it should be fine." But how come everytime, my ears would be ringing from all the swearing in those movies. So no exception to the 'R'ule for me. It's rated-R for a reason, and I'm sticking with that. The same can be applied to any social activities I plan on attending this year.


I will be resolute in preserving and strengthening my physical health.

Obviously this is the ultimate resolution that I'm sure everyon has set forth for themselves. But I am determined to lose those unwanted pounds. I plan to do any form of aerobic activity for at least an hour a day for at five days a week. I will be struggling to get myself up at 5:30 every morning so I can go to the gym before school starts. We'll see how that works out! I figure I should try to get it done early, so I can focus on other things throughout the day. I also feel more "productive" when I wake up early. There's a deep sense of accomplishment when I do that.

I resolve to grow spiritually - I will increase in favor with God.

More specifically, I resolve to be more diligent in my scripture reading. I will do this by reading at least 3 pages a day. Thanks Allen for that recommendation. Lately I've been quite the avid reader, so I will try to put that habit to good use. I started today and I already found things that peaked my interest that I never took into consideration before. I'm excited to track my progression, and see where this spiritual growth will take me.

So, these are my four main resolutions. I hope I can keep up with them throughout the year. I'll do my best to post updates on my status. Now that I've shared mine with you, what are yours?

Blast from the Past!!!

After having a hefty dinner at my hanai brothers house, my nieces, nephews and I headed over to the parentals abode to pick up a few things. As we pulled up to the house, we noticed an unfamiliar car parked out front. I was a little confused when I saw a younger haole guy, maybe in his 30's, talking to my dad in the living room. But as I turned the corner, imagine my surprise when I saw Kalli, formerly Kamauoha, and her mother sitting on our couch!!! The haole guy, I figured, was her husband...lol.

Ok...I know this is a ghetto picture. But I'm at work, so I gotta work with what I can.

Kalli was my brother Jason's girlfriend before he passed back in June 1996. She has always had a special place in our hearts since then, so you can imagine the flood of memories that overwhelmed me when I saw her. June 23 will mark the 13th anniversary of my brothers passing. I was only 13 when he passed, but I sure do miss him. Every now and then I'll run into his classmates or friends, and they'll share some stories and experiences they had with him. He was here with us for such a short time, but he definitely lived a FULL life. I'm comforted by the knowledge I have that I will be one day reunited with him. I love you Jason. *tear*