Missing them.

I got to talk to my parents earlier today. It was the first time in more than two months that I was able to talk to them. My sister had heard from them a few weeks ago, but this was the longest that I've been without hearing the voice of my parents and I miss them so much. I do try very hard not to be worried for them because I know that God is taking care of them but I know that I slip and I still worry about them and how they are doing.

For 12 minutes and 9 seconds I was able to speak to my parents, and it was difficult. For more than half that time I could barely understand them or make out what they were saying. I could make out that they could hear me just fine and so even though I so desperately wanted to just keep saying "I can't hear you! You're breaking up! What?!" since I knew that they could hear me, I told them that  I was having a hard time hearing them and then I talked about all the news that I could think of to tell them. I remember being away from home I longed to hear any news, no matter how minute and unimportant they thought it was...anything was better than nothing and so I talked about just anything that I could think of. I'm good at that. Talking. I talked to them about their grandchildren, how DollGirl was doing so well in school and how KaiBoy was walking so well now and he is SOOO funny. I told her how both of them got along so well and that DollGirl is overprotective of her brother. I told them how we spent my sister's birthday and how much we missed them. And how much we loved them. And how we are praying for them and looking forward to the day that we can see them again. I told them about the confusing weather we were having and that I got new fish for my aquarium at home and at school. Every so often, I would stop to listen to them and I could hear my mom tell me to keep talking and how much she missed my voice. And I really wanted to stop talking and just listen to her voice, but I knew just how much she and my daddy missed me...us...and so I talked. I called my sister on my phone (I was talking to my parents on skype on my iPad) and asked them where they were and to quickly come to my house or to my brother's house if they were in the Kailua area...they were trying to call my sister, but they couldn't get a hold of her.

It makes me sad to hear the longing in my parents voice...They really wanted to talk to my sister for her birthday, but they couldn't...but oh, they wanted too...and I wish that they were here. So badly I wish that they were here.

I was able to get from them that for some reason at 11am our (Hawai'ian) time, they had one bar on their cell phones for almost 30 minutes...on some days, but was uncertain on what days they would have it...but they have notice that for that short amount of time, for some reason, they are able to contact us...and so they try. And I do get random messages on FB or on skype to please call them, but when I do, by that time the signal is gone. But I am glad that, at least, I know that communication is possible, not stable, but possible.

I miss them. I miss them so much.

They did buy land in Mindanao, and even though I have been to the Philippines, I have not yet been to that part of the islands...and I actually have no idea how to get there! But one day, I will go there...and I will see where they live. I will figure out how to get to that part of the Philippines and I will see them. They are happy, though, and that is all that I ask for.

I just miss them so much, though. So very much.

Day 15 of 30 Days of Gratitude.

Day #15: What season are you grateful for?

Fall use to be my favorite season, however since moving here to O'ahu, I would have to say that I love spring. It's not too hot and it's not to cold. I am not liking this crazy weather...but it's beautiful. The whales are passing by and there isn't too much tourism going on. Summer's are pretty amazing too, but for right now the season I am grateful for is the season of Spring.

Fresh, clean laundry.

I just finished making 20 pipe cleaner "flower" leis for the graduating class at my preschool. They are all so cute and so colorful!
 

I use to help make all different kinds of crafty leis for the previous school that I use to work with, and making the pipe cleaner "flower" leis were by far the easiest to make...with a lot of color! And the kids can keep them forever or recycle and give them away to a friend rather than give them real ones that will die and wilt the second you give it to them. Don't get me wrong though! I love flower leis (especially the ginger flower lei! They smell SOOO amazing!)

I had ordered the bright colored pipe cleaners on Amazon Smile right here. I ordered 4 packs since there was 100 pipe cleaners in one pack and I knew that I was going to use 18-20 pipe cleaners per lei, so it worked out well. Oh yeah, side note: When you order things from Amazon, you should order from smile.amazon.com which is the same as Amazon...BUT whenever you buy something, money will be donated to a charity of your choice at no cost to you. How cool is that?! If you want to know more about this, you can check it out here. And here I am assuming you shop at amazon all the time, like I do! *laughs* When you live on an island in the middle of the ocean, sometimes that is the cheapest and most convenient  way to go. :)

So, if you are looking to give someone a DIY flower lei, this is a fun way to do it. :) It does take some time to make them though, so I used the time that I was making these leis to catch up with the Netflix shows that I had wanted to watch! :) That way I didn't have to feel guilty for watching multiple episodes...after all, I am being productive at the same time! :)

So anyways, as I was surfing the net the other day, I found this list from textmyjournal.com and it was a list of Gratitude Journal Prompts! And so I decided that I wanted to do this journey of 30 days of Gratitude. Although, I know that they are journals prompts, I want to use it as a "Blog prompt"...I guess you can say, *laughs* that actually sounds really funny...just say it out loud! At least to me, it sounds...interesting! *laughs*...Oh well, so I will try my best to blog for the next 30 days about the 30 things that I am grateful for.

So without further ado...

Day #1: What smell are you grateful for today?

Hm...well, I can think of so many smells that I am grateful for...the smell of ocean air (I think that it's a given fact that I can say that anything that has to do with the ocean I am grateful for...well, not everything, but most everything!), the smell of chocolate (I had a piece of chocolate a few minutes ago...and you have got to admit that it's a wonderful smell!), the wonderful smell of Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte from Trader Joes (Yay! I was able to replenish my stock last week! :) Can you believe that don't have a Trader Joe's here in Hawai'i...say what?!?! I have a glorious cup of the amazing deliciousness in front of me right now!)...but for today I will say that I am grateful for the smell of...

fresh, clean laundry.

Seriously though, have you ever just took a deep breath of fresh, clean laundry?! It smells so homey and it fills you with all these comforting feelings. :) Unfortunately, I do not have a laundry machine or dryer...and so I do wash my clothes by hand, well, using this amazing invention. I guess that's where I say that it's good that I actually learned how to manually wash my clothes in the Philippines! It does save on water and on energy...however, it does take time. And there are many times where I just go to my sister's house and use their washing/drying machine when my week is way too busy to keep up with the washing. But I was able to wash my clothes today, and the smell of my clothes drip drying filled my tiny studio and it smelled refreshing. And it also filled me with accomplishment...I literally have to set aside at least 2 hours to do laundry and I can tell you that I can never take a washing/dryer machine for granted!

But yes, that is what I am grateful for today...the smell of fresh, clean laundry.

Lazy, relaxing day!

I honestly was NOT in the mood to go to church today, but my niece had asked me yesterday, so very kindly, mind you, if I could go to church with her. So, of course, I can't say no to my lil' DollGirl! It was good though. My parents usually go to the Fil-Am church, however there is a Men's Retreat in Waianae and so my dad went to that for the weekend. So, my mom ended up going to church with my sister, and I caught a ride with Amanda to go to church and we all met up in Kailua SDA Church. It was good to go to be in church again with my mom.

I found out a few days ago that my parents bit the bullet and bought a one-way ticket to the Philippines on August 18. Whenever I think about it I just want to cry all over again. I hate knowing that the date is coming closer and closer to when I have to be without my parents again. Here I am, an almost 30 year old woman crying for her mommy and daddy...but this time around, my heart isn't breaking for myself. My heart aches for my niece and nephew. DollGirl is my dad's personal shadow. Yeah, I can't write about it right now... I can feel myself tearing up. Change subject!

Well, after church, I ended up coming over to town to be here and spend time with my mom and my niece. I ADORE spending time with my niece...and I also equally adore spending time with my lil nephew! I can't believe that he is almost 4 months old! In four days he will be 4 months old...my lil KaiBoy is growing SO fast!

He is such a happy baby! And he has the cutest laughing eyes ever! And he laughs...really laughs out loud when you tickle him! It's the cutest thing ever! These are a few pictures that I can't take credit for. My lil DollGirl took them! She loves taking pictures, that one! :)

I love how DollGirl is super protective of KaiBoy. She loves to cuddle with him and tell him stories and you should hear her when she hears him crying..."No need cry, baby, I'm here. Ate is here!" It is SO heart warming!

My brother and Amanda are here right now to. Right now, Neal, Jeremy, and Amanda are doing a 1000 piece puzzle. That is their thing...they love doing puzzles and they do them like its nothing. I can't sit still that long. This puzzle I gave to Amanda for Christmas...I gave Neal a 3000 piece puzzle...they gave up on that one in a few days! *laughs*

I was trying to wait for them to be tired of the puzzle, but it doesn't look like they are going to be finished anytime soon, so I will say goodnight and just get ready for bed now. :)

Unexpected Happenings.

Today was pretty unexpected, to say the least! Not a bad thing...sometimes it's good to be spontaneous and just go with the flow. I use to be like that. When I look back in my life, I realized that I was pretty spontaneous...and I need to learn how to do that again. Today was one of those days. Although, it wasn't SUPER spontaneous, it was unexpected.

I just got home. Well, I take that back. I just showered and so like about 30 minutes I just got home. I had my evening all planned out when I got a text that gave me a decision whether or not I wanted to continue my evening plans to deviate a little from what I had wanted to do. I decided to change plans. Let me [sort of] start from the beginning.

So, starting last week I have been having MAJOR car problems. Like my-car-stopping-and shutting-off-randomly kind of car problems. Because that was the case, I had asked my sister to lessen my work load at Passion Roots to a minimum unless I can get a ride out there. My point...if I did take a bus out there after my preschool work, it would talk a little bit more than 2 hours to get there because of all the traffic. If they really needed me, I would figure out ways to get there...tonight, I wasn't even on schedule, so I wasn't worried.

I do drive my car though, with a lot of prayer. I have made it a habit to text my sister whenever I drive with a simple, "I'm about to drive! Please pray!" I like that I can do that...coz I know that she will send up prayers for me. I usually just drive from my preschool job to home or to the store...as long as it stays in Kailua...I'm usually okay...because I know that if my car does stop and I can't get it to start again, I can always just walk home if I can't get a hold of anyone at the moment.

When I got home, my sister calls me and asks me if I could meet her at the shopping center in Enchanted Lakes [still part of Kailua]. She has started to slowly start her baking business. And I couldn't be more proud of her! She calls her kitchen "The Lab" because she is just finalizing her different recipes and so she sells her baked goods at a discounted price. I know she will do GREAT in this...her goodies are known all over. :) So I had gotten orders for her from my preschool co-workers and so I went and picked up our orders.

Oh my goodness, the bread smelled AMAZING! As always. Since I was at the shopping center anyways, I decided to go grocery shopping, so I did. And picked up some groceries while I was at it.

I really like how my sister's bread, she makes them as healthy as she can, yet they stay really moist and so onolicious! So wish this Honey Oat Wheat bread, you can order it in several ways. You can get it just as a loaf OR in 12 "Largeish Dinner Rolls" OR 18 Smeedium Dinner Rolls." My favorite is if you get in a "Big Ol' Loaf" you can add a "cinnamony swirl" and oh my! That is my favorite! It is SO yummy!

My sister's extra tag for this special swirl of hers just cracks me up! She is so ON POINT!

This Rosemary Garlic bread though. Oh mandope! What can I say that doesn't sound like I'm making something up?! I don't even know...! Well, lets just say that I was planning on having lettuce wraps this evening...BUT I took one smell of this bread and I knew that I wanted it. So, I ended up cutting two slices from the middle of it...

...because I wanted two of the longer pieces of it...and then I toasted the two pieces in my little toaster oven.

And let me tell you! The smell of this bread while it was toasting was unbelievable! It smelled SO amazing! When it was done, I made myself a sandwich!

Since I'm trying to be a bit more healthier and more conscious about what I put in my body, I used Edamame Hummus as "mayo" and I put turkey and cheese on it...then I sat down and took a picture of it to send to my sister [just to let her know her bread was VERY much appreciated!]

However, as soon as I took the picture, I knew something was missing...and I knew right away what it was...so I added:

some lettuce! Sorry for the blurry picture! As you can tell, I was in a rush to eat this yummy sandwich! And yummy it was! :)

Commercial Break! *laughs*

Please follow my sister on Instagram and Facebook! Spread the word as well! She loves baking for others and filling your belly with YUMMY YUMMY baked goods! Support her! Pray for her! And just encourage her...starting your own business isn't easy, but I know that she can do it!

Instagram: TheFlouredCounterLab
Facebook: The Floured Counter: Lab

And trust, I'll also be posting up her yummy goodies as they come my way. :)

*End of commercial break!* :)

Anyway, as I said in the beginning of this post, things don't always go as planned...at least my day didn't! As I took a bit of my heavenly just made sandwich, I get this text. Thinking that it was my sister responding to my text of my ingenious idea of using her amazing Rosemary Garlic bread as a sandwich, I check the text.

"We need you. I'm picking you up! Just two hours, I promise!" It was already like 9:PM and I was like WHAT!? I know that my Passion Roots boss would not text me AND offer to come and get me if they didn't need me, so I packed up the rest of my sandwich, packed half of my left over bread to share with my amazing Passion Roots co-workers and walked outside just as she pulled up into my driveway. And off we went.

She told me sort of what was going on at work and why they needed me. And so when I walk in I was too surprised to see these giant wooden hexagon shaped pieces with crosses in the middle chicken wired tight with flower oasis. Our bride wanted these HUGE (think at LEAST 5 1/2 feet across) chandeliers. Not one but THREE!

I wish I thought to take pictures of when we first started...but I didn't. Since it was already late, I wanted to work as fast as we could to get these finished. I have preschool work at 7:am tomorrow, but these lovely ladies had to be at The Modern at 6:45am! Plus they still needed to load all our work in the vans before being there...so that was even earlier! Here is Evy adding some foliage to this chandelier.

So, these particular floral chandeliers were to be filled with various foliage and on site they were going to add Eskimo Roses...VERY few Eskimo Roses. This is the underside of the chandeliers...and I post up pictures as I get them of the actual site when these babies are up. I can't wait! I think that it's going to look AMAZING!

After we were done with these as much as could, we preloaded them into the vans and I went upstairs to the studio (we did these pieces downstairs because there was NO WAY were going to bring these pieces downstairs...they were at LEAST 80 pounds EACH! And it was late and we were all so tired already.) I helped Shihi with some of the bouquets of the other weddings that we were also having tomorrow...

The left bouquet goes with the chandelier wedding...and the other  bouquet on the right is going to another wedding. They are SO gorgeous!

I love roses! And peonies are just so gorgeous! Look what pretty gems I found in the refrigerator I saw that we are saving for the following wedding!

How can you not look at these and just be happy! They are SO gorgeous! A beautiful color and so beautiful to look at! Lucky bride! :)

But now that I am FINALLY home...I can now sleep! So goodnight, world!

My little corner.

Today marks the day where one month ago I moved into "my little corner" of this vast world. A place to call my own. A haven. A secret hide-a-way...well, it's that big of a secret...but I will say that if you don't know where to look, you will most definitely just past by it without even knowing that you missed it. 

Since my [former] housemate is planning to get married [to my BROTHER, no less!]...I had to quickly find another place to live. I have to admit that I was a bit stressed out trying to look for the right place. I knew that I wanted to stay in this area because I liked being close to work, I didn't want to live in "town", and I have grown to love this part of O'ahu. With the help of my sister and her husband [MY amazing brother-in-law!], I looked, inquired, and finally found the place where I felt like I could feel safe at. I haven't lived on my own for a couple years now...and I knew that the degree of my FEELING of safety would play a HUGE role in whether or not I liked the place.

As we all know, teachers don't make the highest or anywhere near the highest paying job...in short. We struggle. Especially if you are single with no second income. So, it's as good thing that I have two jobs. But I love my job, and I'm finding it hard to imagine anything taking me away from this amazing teaching job that I have. That being said, I just wish that they would pay us so that we can actually survive and have fun from time to time! *laughs* Well, no one said that I HAD to live here in Hawai'i and it's ridiculous high cost of living. But I have grown to love it here, so I really wanted to try and make it.

The windward side of O'ahu isn't the easiest place to find a home with the amount of money we make [as a teacher]...however, I was blessed to find this gem of a place. Well, my sister found the place, and when I went to go check it out, I knew that THIS was the place where I wanted to be.

My "little corner" is a tiny 245 sq. ft. studio located near the beautiful, beautiful beach of Lanikai. No, seriously, when I say "near" I mean NEAR. I-can-hear-the-ocean-waves-crashing-on-the-shore kind of near. I love it. At first I thought the "silence" of this place was going to bother me. I hate silence. But its not as silent as I thought! Between the waves crashing in the distance and the ever present trade winds brushing against the trees that surround me it is the perfect nature sound of relaxation. Oh, and guess what wakes me up in the morning! Birds singing. And the sun...I have plenty natural light and I can look out my window EVERY DAY and see the wonderful masterpieces that God creates in the sky. Like I said, I love it.

Originally, I was concerned about how tiny the place was! I have NEVER lived in a place that was SOO tiny! It didn't have a kitchen, but a refrigerator. And when you walk in my front door...let me just show you...come on in! :)

Yes, that is the bathroom! I didn't think that I would like the fact that you walk into the bathroom right when you step into my house! I still don't like it, but it's not as bad. I do love the fact that my sister was able to find a welcome mat that matched my shower curtain! :) Before I share with you the rest of my place...my place is still a work in progress. I am more on point in keeping everything clean! I hate when I see anything out of place...or if my floor is littered with my hair! *laughs* But I still need to decorate and add shelves and what not...but for the most part...I love how my "little corner" has turned out!

I like things nice and organized. And I have to say that I have The Best sister ever! I think she realized that I was overwhelmed with the move and trying to organize everything so she stepped in and while I was at work, she came to my "corner" and organized and fixed everything up! It was a mixed collaboration among my sister, brother-in-law, and I in creating my tiny space. I did research on tiny living and put my input and my sister did the finishing touch on the plans and with the help of my Bro-in-law, made it into a reality!

When you turn left from the front door into another door to enter in the main living place this is what you would see. Downsizing was VERY hard...but it was also very therapeutic since it was cleaning out everything that I knew that I didn't really need. The two things that I wish I could have taken with me was my punching bag and my piano. I was able to bring all my books though! And my fishtank. I actually had a longer fishtank and it worked it great because my friend was looking for a longer tank since she has a saltwater tank with an eel in it. My tank was a 30 gallon tank...this one is a 35 gallon tank...but I love how it was more vertical rather than horizontal. So, we switched tanks...and it worked out perfectly so that my armchair could fit there.

I was able to bring my TV with me...and I use it as my "radio"...and when I'm not, it's always playing music or sometihng. :) My mom made my curtains! I love them! My sister made me my mermaid signs and my brother-in-law made almost everything else you see in this picture. :)

I was so glad that my twin sized loft was able to fit in this little alcove. I all the loft my "bedroom." My brotherIL did make it fore me! And my sister had a surprise for me! She added glitter to the paint...more like a shimmer. I live shiny things and so I was SO glad that she added that! I even have my very own "dungeon"...basically what I call my storage rooms where ever I live [think Phantom of the Opera! *laughs*].

Here is a better view of the kitchenette that my BrotherIL made for me! I adore that magnetic strip for my knives and other stuff! And get this, my BrotherIL even made my counter tops with REAL granite that he cut and shaped himself! I love him! :)

Here's a better view of how that looks. I love how everything works together. My BrotherIL did an amazing job! :)

This is my little study corner. Where I am right now typing out this post. :)

This is the view outside my window. It faces the ocean...and I love it! That is the roof of the garage outside my window and I have take an towel and blanket and just laid down on there and just looked up. It's so relaxing to go cloud watching out there...and the stars. Oh wow! The stars are amazingly bright. What you can't see but on the right there is a pretty big front yard with a nice green lawn, mango trees, herb gardens, flower gardens, a water fountain, and open space where I take my towel to lay down and just read a book out in nature. Well, that's if I'm to lazy to walk down to the beach. *laughs*

Well, that is my little corner...a place where I have grown to love in the short time that I've been here. I hope I am able to stay here even longer. I still have to show you may mini patio/balcony that I am fixing up! :) I love my space. I feel safe here. And I feel closer to nature. I love it. :)

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip!

Oh my days! I had such an amazing day! If I didn't have to work my wedding/event job this weekend...I would SO bring DollGirl over to the Waimanalo Pumpkin Patch. As it is, I have already ask my sister if I can bring her there when I am free in a few weeks. I would LOVE LOVE her to go there and experience the farm! It was amazing! It was fun! It was so memorable! I simply, absolutely, adore, loved this day!

So, we all met at the school at 7:00am and then we left around 8:30am. I like how with this school, we encourage the parents to come and spend time with their children, so a lot of the parents went and so we actually didn't have to do anything...but I did pick a few parents and families to hang out with and just spend time with. Since we encouraged the families to come a lot of the families are younger and so they had babies with them and so I helped those with babies...and I had a lot of fun. I am not going to compare the pumpkin patch to the mainland (which I heard a lot of parents doing) because you can not compare the two places...but I do have to say that a place and event has a lot to do with the people that go and the company you keep.

I wish that I took more pictures, but I was having to much fun with the kids to take out my phone to take a picture. Hopefully, I can grab some from the parents or something. I was glad that it was not as hot as I have heard that it could get. There was an overcast, so that was good...because I thought that it was hot, but then I heard that it was a lot cooler.

One surprise that I had was when I got there, my former preschool kiekis where there! I was with my kids and when I am surrounded by yellow shirts (the color shirts that my former school uses on field trips) and I hear "Aunty! Aunty! Aunty! I am here too! Aunty!" It was so amazing to see them! I saw Jackie and former parents of mine and I was so happy to see them and it felt so good to my heart to see my former keiki enjoying themselves and I'm so glad that I had a few moments with them to experience this amazing day with them.

Hopefully, I'l be able to get to take my DollGirl to take more pictures of the place. I heard that it was just a family, a Christian family that lives in Waimanalo that just takes the time to open up their farm to the community to enjoy for the fall season. They provide a lot of games, hayrides, a petting zoo, a cow train, corn maze, lemon trees...and just acres and acres of land to explore. A VERY nice and fun family. I had the opportunity to meet the farmer...and he is a VERY humble, amazing, wonderful person. His family is super nice and very hospitable...just a very, very nice family.

Right before we left, Karlie told me that I just HAD to try their fresh, extremely fresh lemonade with li hing powder..oh my, I have NOT had this amazing lemonade before...it was pretty spectacular! And I am so glad that they sell it at the farmers market because it is an amazing cool drink to have! Definitely on my eternal craving list along with Chinese food, Thai Victory Monument noodles, and gummy bears.

It was an amazing day...I am so happy that I have this day in my memory. I loved it. :)

Fun with pink.

I needed to do my nails so bad! I hadn't done my nails in nearly two weeks...but I also knew that I needed to do them fast...because I had a lot to do before going to work. I just got home and I am so glad that I didn't have to stay too late, because I just wanted to come home already. But I am actually proud of my nails. I told myself that I was going to do my nails at 3pm...because I and to be at work at 7:pm...and I wanted to make sure that they would be dry so that I wouldn't mess them up.

I painted my nails in one of my favorite go-to design when I am in a rush...this design doesn't take more than 20 minutes to do...if that! I decided to do it in pink because it is my favorite color...and I just like this color combination of pink, black, white, and silver...and of course the silver had small glitter flakes...so it is SO me. *laughs* I speed up the drying time I sprayed hairspray on it after a few minutes of letting it dry on it's own. It really does speed up the drying process. And that was good thing because I had lost track of time and I literally finished my nails at like 6:15pm! And look at that! They didn't even get messed up. :)

Today I worked with orchids...and it has been a LONG while since I posted up one of the flower arrangements...I still like doing bouquets...but occasionally if I finish with the bouquets fast enough, I help with the center pieces. I only was able to remember to take a picture of one of the arrangements that my friend actually finished...and it's gorgeous...in person it was an amazing piece. In picture, its was kind of hard to capture the amazing colors and textures of this arrangement...but check this out...

It is just bursting with orchids! My phone was unable to capture how vivid the colors are...but trust me, it was gorgeous. :) Well, now I am just going to crawl into bed...write a little bit in my journal and then knock out. :)

What a Day!!

What a day!!!! When I woke up this morning, I had decided that I was going to stay home and not do anything but concentrate on getting better. But no, I really wanted to watch the Niners game today that was at 10:30am...so I got myself up and got ready and left to go to my sisters place. Right before I left I decided to text my sister that I was on the way over and she texted me back asking if I was going to go to the Modern to hang out...and thats when it hit me!

I HAD FORGOTTEN!

Passion Roots has planned a hang out day at the Modern Hotel...and we are to go there to hang out. But here is the thing. I don't do people. *laughs* So I was not planning to go...plus I still felt not completely well...and I didn't want to spread my germs. *laughs* [oh my, you thought I was serious when I said that! *laughs*]

Anyways I came and played with DollGirl again who wanted to go to my car and play inside of it. I don't understand why she likes my sitting in my car and just singing, talking, pushing random buttons, and just talk. I love it. She cracks me up and it's our time together. Whenever I come over she likes to go to my car with me and just hang out...yep, just hang out.

Well, when DollGirl and I walked out to my car, my dad decided to fix my windshield wipers because they have been squeaking...well, I can't say squeaking...it was more of a mother pterodactyl screech protecting her babies. It was a loud, horrible, screeching sound whenever I would turn on my wipers. When my dad took out the wipers from the case, he realized that there was only one so since it was time for DollGirl's nap, we put her down and went to the auto shop to get another wiper. 

It was hot. There was no wind. It was ridiculously humid. And my daddy and brother helped me out there in the sun trying to figure out the screeching. Because I had assumed that it was my wipers that was making the sounds...but when my dad put the new wipers in, after buying the 2nd one, the sound sounded even louder and obnoxious. So we pour oil on it...used nearly a whole can of WD-40...still it was not working! My dad even said that there was nothing that I could even do to have prevented it...and that it would continue doing that. At first I was getting upset because I had come over to town so that I can watch the game...this car thing was taking FOREVER! But then I realized that I could use this time to spend time with my dad. So I went back into the house drank a nice big cup of water and got some for my dad...and yes, checked the game. :) We were doing good. :) We ended up giving up on the car because we couldn't do anything about it...so my dad said to let it soak in and maybe by the time I go home, it would be all good. :)

Then I went in (with a huge headache), and watched the rest of the game with...

...my lil DolGirl! Look at her check smile! And look at the score! Yep! We did good. :) I have to admit though during the last quarter I could really really tell the Cowboys were trying...but check this out!

We won! By more than 10 points! Yay! Afterwards, I really wanted to just take a nap because my head was pounding and I still was feeling unwell, but then my friend Evelyn asked me if I was going to go to the Modern to meet up with everyone. At first, I told her that i wasn't to sure about going...but then my sister called and told me that she would like it very much if I came. 

I'm not the best when it comes to being around a lot of people...and then this was a luxury hotel and I knew that there was going to be A LOT of people there! My sister told me that they had reserved cabanas near the pool for just us...and its as only Shilhi, Karine, and her that were there, but Ivy just got there and was going to be there for an hour...and the rest of the team wouldn't be able to make it since it was a last minute thing...and so I was like, fine, what harm can it do if I go?

So, I called Evelyn that I changed my mind again and decided to go. We got K.Neal to bring us to drop us off since parking is a bitch there...and Evelyn's husband, Nick, picked us up a few hours later. And let me tell you! I was so happy then I went. 

There were a lot of people there, but Ivy was still there when I came...and that girl is like a piece of sunshine...one of the sweetest, most genuine girl's I know! And no one really bothered us. There was a lanai party going on upstairs...something for Ms. Hawaii 2014...and a bikini contest of something...that was entertaining to watch! *laugh* And it also helped that I did have a spiked espresso iced-coffee...and that was SUPER yummy and got me out of my shell for a bit. *laughs* I don't normally like using pools, because I'm more of an ocean kind of girl...but the water was nice...and its a really nice all around relaxing few hours that I was so appreciative that I had. 

It was funny though because it was more of a chilling like kind of pool...and there was this one guy who was trying to swim laps...and splashing everyone! And yes we were looking at him like was crazy! I mean, I guess you can swim laps if you wanted...but it was more of a "lets chill" kind of pool...and here is this guy who was trying...and mind you I really mean it when I say TRYING, to do the butterfly...it was quite funny. :) But get this...I have NEVER encountered this before...but there was MUSIC in the pool! Yes, IN the pool...there was music from the party that was going on. But when you are submerged in the pool there was soft, light music that was playing! That was really cool! :)

Like I said in the beginning, what a day! :) It was one of those days that I was glad that I didn't decide to just vege out at home doing nothing...because I had an amazing day. Oh yeah, and at the end of the day when I drove home, I tried my windshield wipers and guess what?! They didn't work at all! And so, I was like wtf?! So, I called my daddy and he came and out and looked at it...fixed something...and now I can't wait until it rains...because they work QUIETLY now. Yep, you can't hear them anymore. :) Pretty cool, yeah?! 

It's the little things in life that makes you smile...the little random, thoughtful things that people do with no expectation that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy when you find out...the little things. 

Beach moments.

Wow, today was amazing fun! I know that I already posted but I had to say something about today. I had a lot of fun and I just want to remember this day before I go back to reality. Today was a day that I really needed. I know that tomorrow will be packed at the beach. And I know that it's going to smell SOOO yummy at the beach! With all the BBQ that will be going on...and a lot of happy island/reggae  music...but SO MANY PEOPLE! So I am glad that we went today.

There was a lot of people...but not to many people. We ended up going to Magic Island in Ala Moana. I remember long time ago when I first came here back in 1999, this was my favorite beach! It's a good place for SUP because it's usually smooth and not many waves. But since it's such a touristy place the water is full of sunscreen tasting ladidahs...Since moving here I have become a beach snob and there are certain beaches that I wouldn't be happy to go to since I like my beaches clean. *laughs* But no complains here. :)

K.Neal brought his SUP and so they all went out taking turns...but just tagged along swimming. I would much rather be IN the water rather than going on the paddle board. But I do have fun on the thing...as long as I don't have to bring it in because I'm so paranoid with all the people there and I don't want to accidentally run someone over! *laughs* But I would take DollGirl out with me...and I love how she has NO FEAR at all! When we would be way out...she would just float there...and she loves to try to copy me by laying on her back. I love just doing that...just lay on the water...literally like a water bed! *laughs* and DollGirl would lay there too, she is getting better and better in doing in longer. One of her favorite things to do, is to climb on the board and she would just jump off into the water! It's so funny! But she is good, she will only jump when we tell her that she can. She knows that she is NOT allowed to do that when we aren't there to catch her. At least she has never attempted to, and at least 99% of the time she has her life vest on. When she doesn't...someone is holding her and she isn't allowed to be by herself. I love this girl's fearlessness. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is trust. :)

But yes, today was amazing. A day full of relaxation, family, love, and fun. It's moments like this that tells me that life is definitely worth living. Family, love, and God is all you need. Oh and I can't forget my friends. I consider my friends my family because they just are. *laughs*

Five.

Wow...can it be?! My last Monday at the school?! It was a lot more emotional than I thought that it would be. Nicole had written and sent out one of the nicest letters about me to the parents. I was given the opportunity to read it and let me tell you...it made me cry. And I was also able to talk to Nicole privately about it...and I have to say that it was a very emotional conversation. I will forever be thankful for what she has done for and with me. She is an amazing director, teacher, and friend...and I am glad that I was able to have the privilege to work with her. She was a wonderful mentor. And to this day I know that I can go to her with any teaching problem that I might encounter...but she is also a friend that I can talk to about anything. That is one of the wonderful things about this school...it is like a family among the staff.

When I got home, I saw that I got a package...and I had fun stuff that was sent to me! Always exciting to get something in the mail...or on my doorstep. :)

Amazon is one of my favorite places to go online shopping. I love how you can also send things as gifts on Amazon...and it can go straight to the person that I want to send it to...or if they send something to me. :) Which is always a fun thing. :)

So, here is what my package looks like when I opened it. Random stuff, ya?! *laughs* Oh well...stuff fun to get.

I love this little gadget! I had mentioned that I wanted something like this to a friend...and look what she got me! She sent me the money/gift card to get this...and so I did! I had told her that I loved singing in the shower...it's something I love to do...just because. And LOOK! It's pink! Can't go wrong with a pink, water resistant sparker :)

Since I can't have a dog or cat at the moment, I have my fish...and I am known to spoil my pets. I love them. I got the leaf hammock for BamBam Jr. because I have heard a lot of how betta fish love this...and I have to say that I have see Jr. relax on it every so often since I've put it up. And I have read that freeze-dried blood worms are really good for tropical fish and bettas...so I got those for both fishtanks. And I have already fed all my fish with this...and I can tell that they really love this! But I won't be feeding this everyday all the time...but as a treat. :)

I can always use glue sticks...and these were very cheap, so I couldn't help it but just to stock up on my glue sticks.

Here is a picture of where I put my awesome speaker. And I have to say that it's sound is amazing! You can control the sound, skip a song, backtrack a song from this nifty gadget. I 'm so glad that I got it!

And in this last picture, you can see Jr. just about to chill on his new chilling leaf hammock. :)

So yay to surprises in the mail and thoughtful friends.