Some quotes to share.

Sometimes you have to test someone. Not because you don't trust them but to see how much they'll sacrifice for you. And sometimes you have to let them go, not because you suddenly stopped loving them, but to see if they love you enough to come back.


This year I learned to accept the fact that layers change, people change, relationship change, so lovoe inevitably changes. Sometimes love changed is love lost, but lessons lie among the residue that are painful to face. But the most important thing, is this year I have loved, ooh I have loved, and I do not regret.


Love isn't always perfect. It isn't a fairy tale or a storybook. And it doesn't always come easy. Love is something obstacles, facing challenges, fighting together, holding on and never letting go. It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define and impossible to live without. Love is work, but most of all, love is realizing that every hour, every minute, every second was worth it because you did it together.


No one can promise they'll never hurt you because at one time or another it will happen. The real promise is if the time you spend together will be worth the pain in the end.


It's not about who you've been with, it's about who you end up with. Sometimes, the heart doesn't know what it wants until it finds what it wants. 


Every once in a while, people step up. They rise above themselves. Sometimes, they fall short. Life is funny sometimes it can push really hard, but if you look close enough, you find hope in the words of children, in the bars of a song, in the eyes of someone you love...and if you're lucky, and I mean if you're the luckiest person on this entire planet, the person you love, decides to love you back.


When there is something you want: fight for it. Don't give up no matter how hopeless it seems, even when you've lost hope, because years from now you're gonna look back and wish you gave it one more shot. Because the best things don't come easy.


As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't suppose to let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You will break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old love did. You'll cry because time is passing too past, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt. Because every sixty seconds you spent upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.


When all is said and done, you are apart of me. That's the way it was meant to be. People are brought together for a reason, everything happens for a reason. I believe the reason that you and me were brought together was because we complete each other. We fill-in each other's missing spots with love. And if someday God decides to tear us apart, I trust that there is a reason. Cause if there is a reason for love, there is a reason for life beyond it.


The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.


What is SEXY? Sexy is standing in the rain as you push someone against the hood of your car tearing their shirt as you kiss them when the intent to never stop. What is CUTE? Cute is young and inexperienced. Cute is holding hands and kissing at the red lights. What is PASSION? Passion is knowing what you want and stopping at nothing until you get it. Passion is putting your heart into what you do. What is BEAUTIFUL? Beautiful is all about the inside of a person. Beauty can only be found in the heart. What is LOVE? Love is the amazing balance of all these things. In your heart, body, and soul.


Don't ever think that you are nothing, because somewhere along the line, there is going to be someone who thinks you're everything.


When people walk away from you, let them go. Your destiny is never tied to someone who leaves you. And it doesn't mean they are bad people, it just means that their part in your story is over.


In love, never put yourself in the situation where you are not sure where you stand in someone's life. Never expect, never assume. So that if they choose to drop you, you have enough strength to move on.


You can close your eyes to the things you do not want to see, but you cannot close your heart to the things yo do not want to feel.


I'm not waiting for the one who makes me take a second look, but for the one who makes me never want to look away in the first place.


This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends--they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything--they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll goo and goo too. And babe, I hate to say it, most of them--actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep you head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.


I love those kind of nights that turn out unexpectedly good, great, and sometimes just all out amazing just because you didn't really expect anything to happen at all. I only we could live just like that--with no expectations in mind. It's possible we'd be much happier, with more memorable moments that would last us a lifetime.


In the end, it's still best to wait for the one we want rather than to settle for what's available. It's still best to wait for the one you love rather than to settle for the one who's around. It's still best to wait for the right person, because life's too short to waste on the wrong one.


It may seem like the hardest thing to do, but you have to forget about the person who forgot about you.


The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch swing with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you ever had.

I smile.

It's been a long week. Oh mandope, it's been a long week. This is my first week teaching the younger two year-olds, and I do have to say that it's just as challenging as I thought it would be, and more. I miss my four year-olds. They are constantly asking me, "Aunty, when are you going to come back to our class?!" and they still bombard me with hugs at every opportunity, including "sneaking" in my classroom to tell me something that happened or to just give me a quick hug. I miss them. All 22 of them.

But I love my two year-olds. There are only nine of them, but they are a handful. I think that it's so fun to watch them learn. They are SO manipulative! You can tell the "sweethearts" from the "stubborn" ones; and they ALL will do ANYTHING for attention. They are still learning how to share and use their words. I love this age where tickles and hugs heal everything, and where forgiveness is endless and concrete. They hold nothing against you.

Art is a must. And the messier they get, the more happier they are. Shiny things fascinate them and somehow when using glue, they find some way to get it everywhere. Eating is a mystery as well. A tiny ping-pong size muffin for breakfast magically creates a crumb carpet under their chair and crumb mustaches on all their faces, but somehow they are "full" already.

The sounds of passing sirens stops them in their track; it doesn't matter what they are doing, but they will drop everything and run to the window and wave frantically even when the sirens can't be heard anymore. Trucks have the same effect, and it doesn't matter what kind of truck, they are all amazed by the big trucks that rumble down the street. Sirens and trucks have the magic ability to hold them captive for at least 10 minutes, a miracle in itself.

My little two year-olds are quite the bakers and cooks. Every time we go out to play, they run their little legs over to the sandbox and proceed to "bake/cook" me chocolate, pancakes, cookies, mint-chocolate chip ice-cream, cupcakes, oatmeal and every imaginable food and drink possible, including my everyday cup of "coffee." The playground transforms them into little "monsters," "princesses," and "sailors" that run around and around. They will find every tiny rock, feather, leaf, caterpillar, ladybug and ant.

Helicopters and airplanes will have them running in circles with little "hi's" being yelling into the sky and they will watch and follow the butterfly until they flit past the chain fence. They will run, jump, crawl, tumble, and "fly" everywhere. And randomly they will come up to you and grab your leg in hugs before going off on their next "adventure."

Yes, I miss my little 22 four year-olds, but I love my little 9 two-year olds. The age group is two years a part, but they are so different from each other. But they all make me smile.

Charlie horse.

You know that cramp that you get in your calf muscle?! The one that super, duper hurts. The one that comes as a surprise...a BAD surprise. Yeah, that one. It woke me up this morning. Monday morning. *laughs* Oh well...it can only get better, right?!

Another Wedding.

Well, I did another wedding today with Passion Roots and Seasons Of Life at one of our Oasis Ocean Front houses. I stayed up really late on Saturday just doing floral arrangements and wedding craft projects and had an early start today to finish everything that I didn't get to finish the night before.

The colors were beautful: pink and white. The majority of the flowers that we used were hydrangeas and spray roses, although we used a variety of other flowers as well along with lemon and eucalyptus leaves as foliage. The theme was kind of confusing, European/Tuscany/Country and some other that I forgot, but we took out the "Moroccan" feel to it [per the bride! Not because we wanted too!] last minute. It was beautiful!  The main pieces that I did were the two front pieces where I used HUGE hydrangeas to make an arrangement and spray roses as accent pieces. Lastly, I inserted green cascading foliage [I forgot what they were called!!] on the sides to create that European/Tuscany look to it. I thought they were beautiful.

The place was beautiful. The bride was beautiful. All the venders were so nice and friendly with each other. Another successful wedding. Makes me smile.

 When I first put this in the water, I asked my boss, "Are you sure it's going to float?! Or is it going to sink to the bottom as an underwater arrangement!?" And she replied, "Just think of Baby Moses, he floated...and that is what is going to happen here!" And it did!

 Shilhi and I had to brainstorm really fast on how to spice up the reception table, because according to my sister it was "too boring!" and this is what we came up with. As we were taking this picture, guest were walking up to the doorway! Whew! Fast thinking!

 The Dendrodium Orchids were a nice touch to the place settings.

These took FOREVER to make!! But the end product was so beautiful! The spray roses made a BIG difference...and I love the combination! Such a romantic feel to it! They hydrangeas were really big too...so I was really happy about that. These water-thirsty flowers are very much in demand this month as far as weddings goes, but that's okay, because they are one of my favorite flowers to work with.

We made three of these floating arrangements. I need to have more faith, I thought they were going to sink! The mirror alone was super heaving! Add the candles on top, there was no way it was suppose to float, but it did! And it had a beautiful effect on the whole atmosphere!

 Shilhi worked on the table center pieces. She used hydrangeas, white/baby pink spray roses, pink cymbidium orchids, eucalyptus leaves and dusty millers. She used medium/small clear glass containers with tea leaves surrounding the inside to create her piece. These were take-home pieces so I hope the guests enjoyed their flower arrangement pieces!

These birdcages weren't that hard to do, I used Lemon leaves [sprayed to shine], and placed white dendrodium orchid's sporadically around. And last minute, I wound white lithianthus buds around the wires.

Congratulations to the bride and groom!!

Passion Roots Update.

Passion Roots has gone a long way from when it started a few years ago! I am proud to say that we were voted THE BEST in what we do [wedding/event floral and decorations] in The Knot as well as in the Wedding Wire. This year has already so much promise and opportunity to grow into something even more bigger and better.

We have our ups and downs working and having fun, but I do have to say it's a very rewarding job. Although I am now a full time preschool teacher, and only work for Passion Roots in my spare time, I still have to say that I love every minute of it [there are still times though where I might retract that statement too!! *laughs*] But I am so proud of Shilhi for working hard to get where she is today and for seeing potential in me.

We have now dabbled into retailing. And our first line is called Sweet Bliss in honor of the  Valentines holidays! We are only doing this local though, so if you are in the Oahu area and you like what you see, feel free to make an order!!

I am well aware that this is more on the pricer side, but you can't really put a price on love now can we?! And yes, we are also doing this with A Cake Life, so feel free to check them out as well. I personally LOVE LOVE the tulips arrangement, because my favorite are Billy Bobs! The yellow balls!! They are just so happy to me!!

Here are two more close ups of the arrangements.

 BILLY BOB'S!! Don't they just add a little bit of sunshine to the arrangements?! I love them, and they last, nearly FOREVER!!

I love roses of every kind. Spray roses just scream "romantic" and put together with hydrangeas and lisianthus, so lovey-dovey!

"Adopted" Parents.

So my parents sold and left everything behind when they became missionaries. I admire them for that, because that is what you call "blind leap of faith" right there. I miss them though. Oh mandope, do I miss them so much.

My sister married this guy. This guy is an amazing person. This amazing person has an amazing family. And that amazing family has taken my brother and I into their family. And they have become my "adopted" parents. Basically, my sister's in-laws are like my second parents. They are just awesome like that.

And guess what?! They are here in Hawaii!! And it's "Dad's" birthday today too! So yesterday, when my voice disappeared [and it's still gone!!] my sister was in a frenzy cleaning up the house because her in-laws, my "parents" were flying in the next day, today. I had to go to work today, but when I got back I only had a few minutes to change before they came to the house!

It was sooo good to see them! I've missed them so much...they are such awesome people! And it was so hard coz I wanted to talk and talk and talk...but one thing. I seriously do not have a voice. It has disappeared! Gone. Don't know where it went, nor do I even know when it's coming back! Lets just hope soon! Coz it's not much fun not being able to talk. No, I take that back, I can whisper. So it's not that much fun trying to say something, but no one can hear.

But I have to go now coz my brother wants to start a TV show that I want to watch!! More later!!

Beginning of February.

http://www.2011calendar.ca

The month of love. Also the month that I least like...because of all the lovey dovey things that are all over the place! *laughs* Naw, I'm no hater, maybe I'll change my tune when I finally am ready to face commitment. But for now, I can juss get all kilig from everyone elses' love story.

I am starting this month with a sore throat! Oh mandope, does my throat hurt...with a nasty cough to go with it! I swear is from talking all day with little kids. You know how they get asking all these questions and you have to be constantly talking to keep their attention span. I started so fast! I remember going to sleep last night with an itch in my throat, but feeling fine when I woke up this morning. Then as the day progressed my voice kept getting scratchier and scratchier! Until finally one of my four-year old little man asked me, "Auntie are you hiding a frog in your mouth!" *laughs* Oh how I love "my kids!"

I hope that this doesn't last too long, because it's not something that I like to deal with! I have to talk! I would slowly die if I wasn't able too. A form of torture for me really. I hope that this is the worst and that tomorrow I would forget that my voice failed me today.

My preschool schedule and class changed today as well. I use to teach the older fours, the ones who were getting ready for kindergarten already. But not I am with the younger two-year olds, and let me tell you it's such a big difference! They are so quiet. There are 22 children in my four year old class and only 9 [at the most! Today there was only 7] in my younger two year old class! Since the other aid walked out on us, and there is suppose to always be at least 2 staff with the younger twos, I was moved into there, but when they hire someone else, I will go back to my four year old class. Hopefully. I miss them.

My time changed as well. I use to work from 9am-6pm...but now I work from 7:45am to [supposed to be] 4:30pm. But it all depends, I could leave at 4:30pm like I am supposed to , or 4:15pm, or like today I left at 4:45pm. It all depends on if they need extra staff towards the end of the day.

This month, I want to go swimming more. Since I get out earlier now, I would like to try go to swim after work. I love swimming and it's a good work out. I will either go to the public pool or the ocean. Kailua Beach or even Lanikai would be nice. So that is my goal this month.

And every month my friends and I want to go hiking some place. Last month was Kahana Bay Valley...this month, I'm not sure where it will be. But that's what I would like to do this month as well. And if I can lose 5-10 pounds this month, that would be phenomenal! :)

I know that since this is the love month, there will be a lot of weddings. So I was already asked to help with two. And my boss said that maybe there are two more that she would need my help in. It's good that I get out earlier, that means I can help more. [Ouch! It hurts to cough! >.<] I miss working with flowers! And I miss working with events/weddings...so that would be fun to do. Lets hope that I won't be too stressed out though!

I need to catch up with my letter writing, and so I think that I will be doing that this month as well. Catch up with my letter writing and postcard sending. I miss getting letters in the mail, so I need to keep up on those letters.

What else do I need to do this month?! Oh, I need to change my membership in church! I do not live in California anymore and I'll be here in Hawaii for awhile yet, so I would like to change my membership to here. So I need to look at that and see how that goes.

Well, I think I will take a little nap. It would aid in me getting better...well, my throat getting better because I feel fine except when I talk or cough it feels like sandpaper rubbing my throat raw! Not good. I'm drinking tea right now...should help a little at least...Oh well, here is to the month of February!!

"In the coldest February, as in every other month in every other year, the best thing to hold on to in this world is each other." -Linda Ellerbee