Tea Traveler.

I have a new "darling" who started today at the preschool...and I am so glad that I didn't really have much trouble helping him settle in. I am so proud of my kids, they really helped him feel welcomed and they did pretty well in modeling "correct behavior." I told them that he didn't yet know the rules of my classroom and of the school and so he was going to be watching them to know what to do...and  know that I have a classroom full of potential leaders, because they did a very good job in making sure that he knew what was going on. I am very proud of "my" kids. :)

It didn't rain today, but it was gray overcast the whole day. The sun was hiding behind all the grayness and in all honesty, it felt like the approaching of the holidays! Although, it LOOKED gloomy, it felt like home. And I was happy that it was like that because I have been feeling homesick lately. It's been awhile since I've been home, and so I think that I should make a trip out there soon before I go crazy.

I have a confession to make. I did something that I thought that I wouldn't do. I added "friends" on Facebook. I had deactivated my "old" account a few years ago and told myself that I was not going to be sucked into that place again, but every few days I would get a message, a friend request, a pop up on my wall of my past...and I got me really missing home and all my family and friends back there. The only reason why I had made this new account about a year ago now was because my sister was giving me so much grief about how I didn't have an account anymore. And then she said that she would send me pictures of DollGirl anymore and the only way that I can see the pictures is if I joined Facebook! What?! Who does that?! So for a long time I did have an account, but I literally only had 5 "friends" who were my family. My sister, brother-in-law, my daddy, Mandy, and DollGirl. But today I just went through all my friend request and added all those who were family and those who I am mostly still on contact with.

I have to remind myself to not get "addicted" to that place...but for the most part, I'm pretty good about it now. I don't really do anything on there, except to check out the pictures my sister posts up...but I can see the pro's about the place. It really does keep you connected with your family and friends when you are away from them. I have moved around so much that I have friends and family in all kine places...so I have decided to stop "hiding" from everyone and if they have asked me to be their friend and we actually know each other, then I will accept.

I miss home. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss my "comfort zone." But I got this. :)

Well, when I got home today, look what Mandy had put on my study desk!

Mandy was fortunate enough to have fall break and so she didn't have school on Monday and today and so she was able to get my package for me...and right away I knew what it was! And I was extremely excited to open it!

And I was right! I finally received my Tea Traveler! I am always drinking tea and so this is a good way to bring my tea with me. I like loose leaf tea too, so this will be good. And then to, when I finally start the Fit Tea I can use this. Ash wanted me to do it with her so I told her I will wait for her and she has been meaning to go and get a strainer for the tea, since it is loose leaf...but I just told her an hour or so ago that will just meet her after work and hook her up with one of mine since I have plenty. I'm telling you, I have a lot of different teas and accessories for tea, so I don't mind sharing with her.  

But I think that I am going to buy her one of these as well. If I order one tonight for her, it will be here next week and so I think I'm going to. I will get her that strainer though so we can start already. 

But I am excited for my new Tea Traveler! I love, love drinking tea (Irish Breakfast and Peach Ginger are my all-time favorite!)...and this is so that I can bring my tea with me! I am going to try to figure out how to make the microwave work in my classroom so that I can bring some tea to work and have my tea at work as well. :)

Fit Tea.

Look what I got in the mail today! I am actually excited to start this...

So, last week I was talking to Ashley and she asked me if I would try something with her. I told her it all depends on what it was...and if it wasn't harming anyone or myself...I would. Then she told that she wanted me to try this Fit Tea detox thingy with her to help her stay motivated and just so that she can have someone to do it with. 

I have to say that I have never really tried any kind of "loosing weight" program thingy...well, no, I take that back...long time ago when I was still in Jr. High...my mom wanted me to join Weight Watchers...which helped me loose weight, but I was very active in sports back then and I did have that eating problem (dark past that I don't really like to revisit if I don't have to)...but I think it was more because my mom wanted me to get in the habit of actually eating again...but that is a different story...but that was the only weight "loss" thingy that I've ever tried. Other than than, I would just do the whole exercise and try to eat more healthy dealio...but, my mom actually wanted me to go on a detox/juicing diet thingy with her. But I like food...and I like to eat...and I do have the biggest sweet tooth ever! But I also know that if I wanted to, I can be "more healthy"...but I would need a lot of motivation, moral support, and a very good reason. 

I do want to do the whole juicing/detox thingy just because I know that it's healthy and I do want to get in better shape before my brother gets married. I have been running and boxing more...and I am force myself to be more aware of what I eat. I still love my smoothies and I always tell myself to eat salad everyday. So I am more conscious of healthy eating and all. But juicing is SO expensive! I know that is just an excuse or whatever you want to call it...but it is what it is. I am a teacher...a preschool teacher and we get JUNK PAY...and I would go broke in a quick second if I had to buy fruits constantly to juice it. Coz if I could have it my way, I would eat all the fruit ever! I love fruit...apples are my favorite..I LOVE all kine berries...I can eat dragon fruit all day long, mangoes...oh my days, I love mangoes and I miss, SUPER miss white nectarine! That is one thing that I'm sad about living here in Hawai'i...the fruit here are so mad expensive! I kick myself now for taking for granted all the fruit that surrounded me when I was growing up in CA! We a kickass garden with fruit trees of all kind...and a vegetable garden with the best tomatoes ever! And cucumbers...oh mandope...I would LOVE to have a garden like that again! I remember always climbing and just reading up in the apple trees and peach trees in my backyard. And I could always just reach across and grab me some plum...oh my goodness plum! I LOVE plums! So yeah, I'm not against juicing, it's just...if money was not an issue, I would do it. But it is an issue and it is something that I would probably have to save for and not do for long amounts of time. 

So, when Ash asked me if I would do this detox thingy with her...I said, "why not?!" It's only a 28 or so day thing...and in the grand scheme of life...it's only a drop in the bucket...and so why not?! I think that we have decided that we will start on Sunday, if not sooner...but I have yet to tell Ash that I finally got it! :) At least we can start on the beginning of a new week...and we'll do it do together. 

I got the Super Fit Tea pack from here. And this pack came with everything that you see in that above picture. One thing that I looked at was that all the ingredients was natural and I am always drinking tea anyways...and so that is a good thing...I don't have to change that. I have to get used to taking the pills 30 minutes before breakfast and lunch though...I'm not the biggest fan on taking pills...and if I can help me I don't take pills for ANYTHING...but it can try it. 

The reviews that I have read said that the tea was a pleasant taste...and like I said, I love my tea! I have a pretty impressive collection of tea, but my #1 favorite tea is Irish Breakfast (with milk and sugar!) :) That and Peach Ginger tea are my go-to tea. (I still love my cup of black coffee in the morning though :)). 

I think the thing that sold me on this detox thingy is that it's basically tea...and I love tea.

The only thing that I could do with out is the stevia. (And we all know that I don't like CORN! *laughs* But it won't kill me to consume that!) I'm not the biggest fan of stevia...but in moderation, I guess it's okay. And...HONEY POWDER?! I have never heard of that before...but it's powdered honey, I guess. Can't go wrong with that...just it sounds weird. I love honey. :)

Well, I'm excited for this...we will see how it goes. I'll talk to Ashley and it will be pretty cool to document this journey of this Fit Tea Detox tea. Hopefully, it will be a good experience...can't hurt, can it?! :)

Four.

It is said that time flies when you are having fun...but I would also like to say that time also flies when you really don't want it to. I was talking to my boss and it was one of those stressful kind of days and she said, "I just wish that Friday was here already!" and then she looked at me said, "Wait! No, I don't want Friday to come coz that would mean come next week, you are gone. I don't want that!" I just started laughing, but inside, I was sad too. Yes, things were pretty stressful today, but I was hoping that time would just slow down just a little bit.

Four more days. Why am I counting down the days?! I don't even know...but whenever one of my keiki's gives me a hug, I can't help but hold on just a little longer and squeeze just a little bit tighter knowing that I won't always be here anymore. I'm not going to lie, I knew that it was going to be this hard...but that doesn't make me any more prepared for the goodbyes.

Since Nicole had given the letter to the parents that I was leaving yesterday, a lot of the parents are coming up to me and making it a point to talk to me. I am proud to say that I do have a relationship with all the parents that come to my school. I also make it a point to get to know the parents of the keikis that come to our school. I mean, I would want that too if I had a child. So, reminiscing with the parents is hard as well. But I like it, because they reassure me that no matter what, we DO live on an island, I will see them sooner or later. :)

I have been trying to prepare my "mine" that come next week, I won't be here. I have been telling that just like "Olivia" (a former student of mine who went to a new school a few weeks ago) And that there will be times when I will be able to visit, but for the most part, I won't be their teacher anymore.  And I have been trying to incorporate it in my circle time. I have a post-it on the calendar so they can have a visual one when I'll be leaving. And then when I do my feeling faces, when I get to the sad face, I always ask the question, " What kind of things make you sad?!" And it's so adorable because they know my next question is "What are the kind of things that you can do to make your friend smile again if they are sad?!" And you know the kind of answers are like, give them a bang-biscuit [high-five], a hug, ask them if they are okay, ask them if they want to play with you, ask them if they want to be your friend...and so forth. Well, my keikis' always jump the gun, so whenever I ask this question before I even finish the question they all drown me in hugs and "lovings."

Today, when I asked the question what makes you sad, I said that it's making me sad because I won't be able to see them all the time anymore and that I was going to miss them all so very much. My lil Benji then proceeds to launch himself at me and give me one of those hugs where his arms encircle my neck and his head laying on my shoulder and he says, "But you don't have to be sad." I asked him, "But why, Benji, it makes me sad that I won't see you next week." And he said, "But Aunty, I am here now. And whenever you feel sad and you need a hug, you can come back and I will give you a hug." Oh, my heart cracked just a little bit more...even writing it makes me tear up.

Just this little anecdote lets me know how much of an influence I have with my keiki. Benji has been in my class the longest so far. And he has seen some of his classmates come and go...whether that is to a new school or to the next classroom when their birthday comes around. And whenever one of mine leave my classroom, I always tells them that if ever they are sad and need a hug, all they need to do is ask their teacher if they can come and get a hug from me. Transitions are hard for my little ones and so they know that I'm just right across the courtyard from them, so all they have to do is look up to see that I'm still here and they don't have to be sad. Benji has heard me say that...and he was now comforting me and it made my heart hurt knowing that I'll be leaving him soon.

I love this quote that Maya Angelou said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." And it is so true. I get sad sometimes because I know that my keiki are so young (2 years-old) that I know that they won't really remember me in the coming years, but I can always have hope that they will remember how I made them feel. I love each and every child that walks through the gates of my school. And even though I might forget what their name was, I will remember their little spark in my life, and I can only hope that they can remember the love that I had for them and how I tried to make their learning experience fun...but also that I did care for them. 

Tea...tea not only is yummy...but it also soothes my sad soul. I hope one day that I can have a HUMONGOUS tea collection of everything tea related! *laughs*

Day Seven: Running.

One thing that makes me sad is that I don't have a camera to document the amazing views when I go running in the morning. Even in the evening when I go running, the sunsets are amazing...but the sunrise...oh wow it's beautiful. I do run with my iPod, but unfortunately it doesn't have a camera.

Another thing that I want to say is I had forgotten how wonderfully nice the people are here! Every since I started running, the people that go running have remembered me and they give me encouragement. There is not a single day that has passed that someone, if not several of them, have encouraged me one way or another. We don't ignore each other when we run...they look me in the eye and greet me and give some encouraging words. I love the Aloha spirit here.

After I run, I like having my daily smoothie and pot of tea. Today, I was able to have some nectarine in my smoothie! I LOVE nectarines! They are soo expensive here, but it is so worth it. White nectarines are my favorite though.

So today, I used two yellow nectarines, two apple bananas, one acai packet, a scoop of Matcha Ginger powder, a handful of granola, a dribble of honey and, of course, my favorite coconut water.

I wasn't able to fit everything in the first go, so I filled it as much as I could, an then I blended it and then added the last nectarine.

Today, I chose my Peach Ginger tea with honey. One of the top 5 favorite flavors of tea!

As you can see, I couldn't wait until going downstairs to start on my yummy, yummy smoothie. :) But now that I am down stairs I need to start getting ready for my day. But here's to a wonderful, beautiful, Sabbath day.

"Let prayer be your first response, not your last resort."-Joyce Meyers

Family Day.

Yesterday I knocked out like nobody's business! And let me tell you why. So, on Thursday night I decided to pull an all-nighter to prep my classroom for the summer...and just do a lot of school stuff. So I didn't go to sleep until 4am. I knew that I can survive the day on 3 hours of sleep. I've done it before...and I thought that since the next day was Friday, I'll have all weekend to relax. But guess what?! I get a phone call FORTY-FIVE minutes later. It was my friend Jess who is sick. And has decided to call in-sick. Which is fine because she has been really sick the whole week. She stuck it out like the amazing person that she is. And I actually didn't mind taking over her shift. Oh yeah, that is why she called. The only problem, she is an opener. She goes to work at 5:30am...which means, I had to go to work on 45 minutes of sleep when I thought that I would at least have 3 hours. I thought that I would have been able to make it...but then several people called in sick...and guess what?! I was asked to close. So I worked a VERY VERY long day. So like I said, I knocked out.

And while I was knocked out, my sister kept calling and texting me (among other people!) I may be knocked out...but I am also a very light sleeper...and if someone calls and I see it's someone that is family I will always pick up the phone. So, it being my sister, I was picking up the phone. But it was nothing really life-threatning...just plans on what she wanted to do today. I was barely functioning when she was calling me...but I got the gist of the fact that she wanted to have a family day at Ka'ena Point. It was confusing...but you know what?! It was super fun! Look at this view!

We decided to plant ourselves at this beautiful North Shore place...and just look how perfect it looks. That is au natural...no filter...just the pure beauty of Hawai'i. I love it. And you know what else I love....

....coral?! One reason why I love this place is because of all the wonderful coral here! And a lot of fun tide-pooling! The water was so clear and it was a fun, family day. We all did our own individual things, but we also did things together. And it was fun. And I was able to get a lot of coral, shells, and sea glass for my collection. 

After that, I went to my sister's house to spend more time with her and her fambam. While we were there, we decide to walk around and go get dessert at our favorite frozen yogurt, Menchie's. Before we went there, my sister wanted to go to Executive Chief to look for more bread pans...but guess what I got?!

...I got more tea for me! I so need a new storage for all the tea that I have! But my all-time favorite tea is Irish Breakfast. So I got me some Irish Breakfast...and then I got some Matcha Tea...I love me some matcha tea. And then we walked to the other side of the street and got me some...

...new running shoes and socks! I have decided that starting tomorrow, I will try to exercise EVERYDAY...and run whenever I can. I got these shoes on sale and they are the same brand that I got my other pair of running shoes. And those socks are just so happy. So some motivation for me. :)

And then guess what?! We finally went to our favorite frozen yogurt place. It's a place where "we make you smile."

Even my DollGirl had some to, and boy did she love it a lot. Her face was priceless. But you know what was even better?

When we gave her the choice to finish her little sample of frozen yogurt or have strawberries, she chose the strawberries...it was cute. 

Yep, it was good day today and it was a fun day. But as for now, I need to go to sleep early because I plan to wake up to go running. Day one of running...here we go!

"You don't have to live forever. You just have to live."-Tuck Everlasting

Comfort=Relaxation.

So after a long, complicated, mentally/physically exhausting day I decided a pot of tea would be a good way to relax. So after a quick cat nap when I got home I decided to have one of the flowering teas that my brother got me for Christmas. I still am so in awe of this beautiful tea!

 

I tried the Noble Madam tea...it's pretty yummy! I decided to put it in my infuser this time instead of just letting it sit in my pot. I do like little pieces floating in my tea...and the things that I did different this time was pour the water in the pot first before putting the tea flower thingy in.

It looks NOTHING like it turns out. I mean...look at that thing...I think if I wasn't curious as to what it would look like, I wouldn't have guess that it would be something that I DRINK! *laughs* But it's just that little bulb. (*laughs* Can you tell that I still am in awe of this "new" tea that my brother got me! *laughs*

So I just dropped that baby into the hot water in the infuser thingy...and it just floated there. I started to poke it with my spoon...it took a lot longer to open then the first one that I did! But I think that the coloring is SOOO awesome! The color was contained inside the infuser.

At first it was upside down so I had to turn it right side up...I know I shouldn't have done it in the infuser because it's not as pretty...but I really don't like the little floaties in my tea! But color is starting to slowly disperse outside the infuser! So cool!

Here is a top view of the pretty tea. I thought it was still pretty! :) I like this tea...it's not too strong...Green Tea with Jasmine.

Yep, tea really did hit the spot after that long day! You like how my tea cup has "COFFEE" written on it?! *laughs* I am a coffee person as well! My rule for coffee?! My first coffee of the day NEEDS to be a STRONG STRONG black coffee...then through out the day I will have my "other" kine coffee. *laughs* But tea in itself is also very yummy and so yes, I am a coffee AND tea person. So nevermind the "coffee" tea cup *laughs* It actually belongs to a set that my sister gave me. So there.
:)

I warmed up the left overs that I had with Jess yesterday...my yummy chicken katsu...to eat for dinner. I LOVE chicken katsu! This one is from L&L...comfort food for a time of relaxation.

Well, as I was enjoying my cup of tea...my brother and housemate/friend came home. I love them. Of course, my brother is family...but Amanda is family too. It's always good to sit with them and talk...and that's what we did. So, comfort drink, comfort food, comfort company equals a nice relaxing evening.

Thank God it's Friday. And I would like to add...Thank God for family, friends...tea and chicken katsu. :)

Last Post of 2013!

So, things have been mad busy lately, so I have a huge feeling that this is will be my last post of the year! I need to get on it! *laughs* This year, I wasn't able to post as much, hopefully with the new year coming in, I'll be able to post more! *crosses fingers*

Well, Christmas was a lot of fun! I went to my sister's house...and I didn't even have to go into work on Christmas Eve! Yay...but BOO, I have to work New Years Eve...oh well. Amanda left December 20 to go home she came back today though. I feel bad for her because they had to cancel her flight going home and so her and two other friends had to scramble to try to find new flights. Good thing though that the flight help person was able to help them! Coming back was okay though, and I"m glad that I'm not alone in the house anymore!!

Anyways, I am in a rush, so here are some pictures that I took of from Christmas and some!

Yes, I did change my nail polish! Even though there isn't a huge design here...the nail polish is pretty cool, don't you think?! :) Plus, since I did choose a Blue theme for the house, I matched it with my nails. :) My friend got me at least 5 different colors of this nail polish! I ADORE IT! DollGirl liked it too! She couldn't stop looking at it! :)

Here is my sister with DollGirl! Oh mandope! That little one had a lot of fun opening her stalking! It was adorable...I super enjoyed watching her open her stalking with her mom. I loved how this year she was more aware than she was last year when she was just a few months old. Plus since we went to the Mainland for Christmas, this was her first Christmas here in Hawai'i...and I loved her excitedness for everything!! :)

Oh, my goodness! I think this little DollGirl was our entertainment opening presents this year! *laughs* She had a lot of fun! And was SUPER excited over everything! I got her that basketball hoop...and look at her loving her "ball" one of the words she LOVES to say...and she loves to play and throw already! Her Dad, Uncle and I are already playing basketball with her...it's soo fun!

My brother-in-law got my fish a Christmas present! I have THE BEST brother-in-law...and I thank my sister plenty for giving me an awesome brother! :) But he got them that "Surf's Up" aquarium decoration. I love it. My fish seem to like it too. :) Amanda and Jeremy got that "The Mermaid is In" sign for me for my birthday this past year...I adore it. :)

So, I am loving tea. Don't get me wrong though, I still love my coffee...but I love tea...and I love trying different kinds...and so my brother got me this amazing glass teapot with Flowering Tea...! Oh my goodness...I LOVE it! My brother SO knows me!! I love him...and Amanda got me the cutest Elephant tea spoons. My brother had gotten me the elephant mug for my birthday one year...but I love my family...they soooo knows me when it comes to getting me things that are SOOO me! :)

So, I did try the Flowering Tea...and it was really beautiful to watch...:) Not too strong, just right...and yes, I do like my tea with milk and honey...so yummy!

 Here is DollGirl playing with one of the toys that Amanda got for her. SOOO cute! She is going to be just like her mother! Cooking and baking!

Well, here is to the new year...I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful new years day...and an amazing year to come!