Full Moon Ramblings

Last night was a full moon. In fact it was a SUPER full moon and when I looked online to make sure that it really was going to be a full moon last night I found out that it was also called the Full Corn Planting Moon and/or the Full Milk Moon. Why? I don't know, I didn't feel like doing a full on research on why, but it was nice to know that the beautiful moon that I saw last night had some pretty cool names...coz my days, it was a beautiful moon.

A picture I took last night enjoying the full moon.

When I was a little girl, I used to open up my window and it had a perfect view of the moon, at whatever phase it was at...and I would "talk to the moon" because I was taught that you had to "talk to God"...but I didn't really know how. All I know was that God was "up there" and at night whenever I looked "up there" I saw the moon. So at an early age, it was always me talking to moon hoping that somehow my words were also traveling "up there" to God. Also, it was a good visual for me...I wasn't just talking into space or something...I was talking to the moon and praying that it was somehow reaching God's ears. I know now that it was and has and will always be. But the moon holds a lot of sentiment to me.

The past few weeks have been tough, no doubt for everyone, but my feelings are valid, too. Sometimes it's easier for me to be strong for those who need me to be strong for them when they can't be strong themselves...but for some reason, for as long as I can remember, it has hard for me to allow someone to be strong for me. I somehow feel like I don't deserve it or something...but you know what, I'm slowly getting there. Trusting people more. But last night, as I was sat waiting for the moon to pop up out from all the clouds, I was zooming down memory lane and remembering all the secrets I would "tell" the moon...and I miss doing that.

I journal. I blog. I do have my friends that I talk to, however those nightly moments when I use to voice my thoughts to the moon, was so pure and so heartfelt. And that's what I did last night. I talk and talk and talked and realized that wow, that was something I really needed. I makes me smile to know that that same moon that I saw last night is the same moon that was there for me when I needed to talk all those years ago. I don't even know why I stopped. 

I love the ocean. I love the mysteries that it holds and I can watch documentaries of the wonders of the ocean for hours and hours and (if only I still had internet connection!) I could even let it play for a long time in the background of my daily life whenever I was home. But what also fascinates me is the cosmos. The heavens. The sky. I am a self-claimed sunrise chaser. (Mind you, I am by far a morning person...there IS a difference!) I can cloud watch, star gaze and meteor showers amaze me. I look for those wishing stars and I smile when I can recognize certain constellations. Whenever I can see a planet my heart beats a bit faster and when I spot a satellite passing overhead, it makes me smile. 

Nature is my inspiration. Yes, I hear that all the time. What inspires you? Nature. But it is so true. I can not even imagine life with out nature. And my heart fills up with so much happiness when I realize that there is a creator (God) that made all that...FOR ME. For everyone, yes...but I like to think that He took His time with certain things...a lot of things, really...because He know that it would make one of His children smile...me. At least that is MY belief. 

Yes, the times right now are uncertain. Yes, the times right now are tough, and sometimes...well, a lot of times, I just feel why?! What's the point? But I know, I know that there is an end. And no matter how lonely I feel, no matter how I feel like I'm alone in my struggles, no matter how tough it all is...the moon and the sun will always rise and fall, no matter who is watching it...it just does. And the God who created them loved me enough to know...that in my darkness, I would need light. And my heart is filled one more time.

The full moon over the Olomanas.

Hello March

Hello March! I can't believe how fast this year is going! I seriously feel like I blinked and 1/4 of the year past! But Christmas break is long gone and I have survived this far...and I am so looking forward to Spring break in a week or so!

Work/School is going...going...going...well. I have finally gotten all the keiki where I wished that they could have been 2-4 weeks from the beginning of the school year. I think this is the first time I have worked with the younger 2..some starting on their birthday. And I have to say that it was rather difficult (with this age group) when a child started, since all they would do is cry, cry cry. And when I finally got that child settled, another child would start at a later date, and the whole crying process would start all over again. Which is what happened this year. I had children starting as late as November...and another one that started this past FEBRUARY! It was hard only because the whole dynamics changed in the class and I had to work real hard to get it back to where the children were wanting to learn, instead of trying to grasp to the newness of something...new. But wow, I made it...and I am still loving it, that's for sure! I love my keiki; I love what I do. I love getting to know each child individually and as a group. Each year is different...my goodness, each DAY is different and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Now to only try to get the children to stay home when they are sick! I feel like this is a constant battle among teachers...sick children coming to school...spreading their sickness...irritated parents from hearing other children sick and coughing in their child's face...and then having to deal with that as a teacher...who feels like she is now sick from all the sickness spreading around the school. I have never had this many children "allergic" to something. The "reason" why the children come to school with runny noses, coughing, drippy eyes, and a lethargic behavior. "They're not contagious- it's just allergies." But they are STILL leaving a trail of mucus and whatnot where ever they go! But what do I know? They probably do have allergies...

But enough with that. I love my keiki...and I love my class. I love the spontaneous aura I have in my class...the whole "no two days are a like" is so my class. Working with two-year olds is so rewarding because I have the privilege of seeing so much develop in such a short amount of time! A lot of my keiki started not talking...(or speaking in gibberish or "minion-talk"), and now we can talk story for days...and I actually can understand them! I love hearing their thought process, the why of life, and the reason for anything under the sun! I love watching their confidence and self-esteem grow stronger each day and I love seeing "my" little ones start developing ohana feelings for their classmates and for myself. Their attention span is improving...they all love art...and dancing is a must in my class. We have these wonderful impromptu dance/karaoke sessions in my class...and I tell the little ones that as long as they are singing "anything can be a music instrument." They are getting to know the rules to that though...PEOPLE are not drums...and neither are fish tanks. And their little voices singing is so endearing to me! I love how they are in a habit of singing most anything. I love hearing them make up their own lyrics and dancing to their own beat! And I am very impressed with their "clean-up" skills and how they are using their words. They are always game to trying out new things for artwork, exercise movement, activity, and/or circle time.

I was real impressed the other day when we talking about the alphabet. At this age, I don't normally try to teach them letters (we are a more social/behavioral school)...but since our topic for this month is music and literature, I try to introduce to them a letter a day and of course I started with the letter "A." I was telling them that "A" is for alligator and had plans to read the book "There's an Alligator Under My Bed" by Mercer Mayer, pretend we were alligators, had an alligator artwork ready for them...the whole she-bang. But as I drew the letter on the board and said "Okay my friends, "A" is for alligator"...I had a little boy speak up and say, "Aunty, "A" is for Aloha." And he couldn't have been more right! :) We do sing that song:

"A" is for Aloha ("A" is for Aloha)

"L" is for Love ("L" is for Love)

"O" is for Ohana

"H" is for Hawai'i

ALOHA, ALOHA

so, of course...it made my heart smile.



It has been cold, cold, cold lately and a few weeks ago it rained so hard, I thought I was going to get stuck! Where I live there is only one way out on a bridge. If the ocean rises enough from all the rain and floods the bridge (which I am told that it has happened!) Then I guess it's good that I'm so comfortable swimming in the ocean to get to the other side! *laughs* Nah, I have my friends who have boards and boats that could probably get me, OR I just stayed on my side of the bridge and did some artsy stuff while listening to the steady flow of the rain! And since rain doesn't bother me so much, I did walk down to the beach and sat at the shoreline for a bit. I love watching all the moods of the beautiful ocean. Right now it is saying that it is 68degrees. Cold, super cold for Hawai'i. But then then again where my sister lives, I feel like it is much colder than where I would normally be at this moment. At home.

Now, that is another long story. But for short...the heavy rains drove the critters out of their homes and so I have been finding a lot of RATS (which I first thought were mice, but was wrong!) INSIDE MY STUDIO. So until they cease to enter my place I have moved out of my beloved studio and have come to live with my sister for the time being. I do go back to my place every morning to get ready for work and after work I stop by before come here to my sister's only because my landlady is still there (for some reason the rats are finding their way into my studio, but apparently not here house) and I go there to check up on her and make sure she is okay and of course, my fish. I have 6 aquariums with my darling fish, and I have to feed them and make sure to do their water changes when needed. But is has been tiring to say the least. The whole back and forth, back and forth of it all. I am so grateful for my sister and her family for allowing me to stay with them, but I also really, really miss my own space and home. Plus, I feel like it's a LOT colder where my sister live...but it's always so good to be with family. :)

My family is growing...and I couldn't be more happy about that! In the past couple of months I have gained several nieces and nephews some whom I haven't yet met, but still love so very much! My best friend had her baby and I am so looking forward to seeing him in a couple months! All these babies are making me smile! I am so happy that I work at a preschool, because watching the new generation grow and develop is such an awesome feeling! I love being a part of a child's life, helping them learn the skills to get along in life...and just watching their personalities shape into who they are. But my family is everything to me; I love them. I love them all! :)



My family makes me feel blessed and loved. I feel like that there is no stronger bond (other than God's love for us!) than a family bond. I also feel like people can choose who is in their family...so I believe that friends can also be family to you.



I have always loved to paint. That doesn't mean that I am any good by far! But I am choosing to get better so I am doing it more. I love to paint with acrylics, but now I am venturing out of my comfort zone and trying to watercolor paint. So. Much. Different! Wow, it's so different! I like it though. I feel as if it's more soft and challenging. Don't get me wrong painting with acrylics is not an easy thing, but because I don't paint watercolor painting as much it's more of a challenge for me. Lately these "galaxy watercolor" paintings have catching my eye and so I wanted to try them out myself. They are so beautiful and so I tried my hand at it, and even though it looked easier enough to do, it was harder...well, more different than what I was used to. I am also loving all these creative quotes! I made a few of these round galaxy with quotes in them and I have given a few of them out to share. They are a lot of fun to made and look at !



Another thing I have been trying is the pointed pen. Wow, that is fun! I love writing with the pointed pen. I have to hold myself back from buying all the supplies for the pointed pen! I actually have a few material for the pointed pen but when I got the tools that I needed from a new subscription box that I subscribe to (The Inky Box-mini). My sister actually gifted me a 3-month subscription to this box and I couldn't be more happier with it! I might have to continue with this subscription because it introduces me to new ways to letter that I haven't even thought about it! With the pointed pen it's a lot different than the brush pen that I am used to. I like that pointed pen because it does force me to slow down and really thing about each stroke of the pen.



Every day I am trying to post something up on Instagram that makes up my life. Whether that be some lettering that I've done, some artwork that I've painted, my fish (I love to aquascape their homes!), some book I've read, a place that I visited/travelled to, a view that that made me smile, my current planner moment, one of my journal entries...something...anything. It's always fun to look back to see what I've done and it's also a fun way to meet people and get inspiration and tips and other things. (Feel free to follow me! @mylife_oceanstorm)



Before I forget, I wanted to mentioned that in the beginning of the year a celebration of life was held for Legend. I had so many emotions as I was a part of this amazing event. Saddness all around, but happiness and awe to see just how many peoples lives were touched by the 3 life-filled years of this young, precious boy. My friend was able to get this picture of while we were walking back to my place after the event. There were so many people who were brought together to support and encourage and grieve with Legend's parents and sisters. I consider myself blessed to have known this young boy who was taken from us too soon. Legend, my you rest in peace, little one. Can't wait to see you again one day!



Well, hopefully I can be more consistent with my blog entries.  I miss writing them...so I will try my best to find time to write. If not, I will be back...one day. :)

"I can't go back to yesterday because I was a

different person then."

-Lewis Carroll

Alice in Wonderland

Please check me out and follow me on IG: @mylife_oceanstorm

For Cheyenne.

My teacher's assistant (T.A.) came into my classroom telling me about this young girl named Cheyenne Urban from Illinois. Her birthday was yesterday, and all she wanted for her 16th birthday was some aloha love from Hawai'i. According to her mom, Cheyenne suffers from severe anxiety and she is not able to travel to Hawai'i because of it. "...up until three years ago Cheyenne was an honor roll student and ahead of most in her grade level. That was until Cheyenne slipped and fell in the parking lot, after football practice one day, resulting in traumatic brain injury." I know that it's a day later than her birthday, but I still wanted to send her some postcards of pretty places here in Hawai'i. So, Mrs. A, my T.A. bought a lot of postcards and I had a lot of postcard postage...and I had my preschool keikis decorate their own postcards for Cheyenne. I told them about the girl that they will be sending the postcard to and let them watch this video.

This is one of my favorite postcard designs, so I decided to write on this postcard and explain what my class (and several other classes in my school) was doing.

"Happy birthday Cheyenne! My name is Charity and I am a 2-year-old preschool teacher on the island of Oahu. I heard that it's your birthday and you wanted some cards from Hawai'i! I hope you enjoy this postcard and all the other postcards you should be getting from my 2-yo class and some from the other classrooms. :) We tried to pick some with the pretty pictures of our state for you to see and look through. We are praying for you and we hope you get your dream of one day coming here to Hawai'i. The kids enjoyed drawing and decorating their cards for you with stickers. We send these cards with positive vibes, warm hugs, loving kisses, and aloha. Stay strong, Cheyenne! <3 (I wrote this on all the cards from us: <3, Kailua Methodist Preschool. Aloha, Charity" And of course, I had to add some stickers! :) I know that you can see the address, but I'm going to leave it there, so in-case any of you would like to send her a postcard. I have a feeling that even if you aren't from Hawai'i, a card of encouragement can go a long way. :)

This is the postcard that my T.A. decided to send to Cheyenne. Another of my favorites! :)

"Cheyenne, Keep looking toward the horizon, there will be something at the end, that one day your wish will come true. Aloha, Mrs. A"

Here are some of the keiki's in the process of decorating their postcards. I let them choose their own set of stickers...and I had pens out for them that they can "write" her something. I hope that she understand that they are only 2-3 year's old...and that even though it's just "scribbles" they mean something. They also practiced fine motor skills taking the stickers off the sheet and putting them on their own postcard. I took a picture of the postcards that they did...but I wasn't able to take pictures of the ones that the older keiki did, but that's okay...another teacher volunteered to take them down to the post office to send them on their way. :)

Oh, and on the left side of the postcard, I wrote the child's name and their age.

And there they are...those are only a few that I had a time to take a picture of...but I hope that she is able to "see" between the "lines, scribbles, and stickers" that the children did this with heart. And Cheyenne...we send these postcards with love and aloha.

From Czech Republic.

I didn't have time to post about this fun postcard that I got on Saturday,  and so I am doing this now. :)

Twelve days ago, Misa sent me this super fun postcard from Czech Republic! I love how she wrote a lot on the postcard! I usually get a quick message in bigger font and then that's it...but this one was written in smaller font and a lot...and I like that a lot! I guess it can get hard to figure out what to write to a total stranger...so I understand. :) But Misa wrote that she was a teacher as well and she liked a lot of stuff that I was interested in too! One thing that I saw that we definitely were the same about was that she mentioned that she did not like spiders and waking up early in the morning. Hey, that sounds like ME! :) She also told me that she made a Postcrossing account for her classroom...and so I told her that I didn't mind sending her class a postcard from my preschool class! I think that that would be fun! :)

I love love love that stamps that she used! How beautiful are they! I super love them! The picture does not do them justice either...they are just so beautiful...

And I think that that was really sweet that she added some stickers to my postcard since I did mention on my Postcrossing profile that I love stickers. I like nice people! And Misa seems like a nice person. :) Thank you, Misa, I LOVE my postcard, stamps, and thoughtful message! :)

Soul Place.

"Did you know that we all have at least one soul place in the physical world? A soul place is a special site or spot where we experience unique feelings of belonging, empowerment and energetic rejuvenation."

When I read that quote a few days ago, I knew right away where my soul place was. Here. This place right here. It's like my own entrance to the ocean. I come to this place to recharge when life happens And life does happen; it gets crazy, hectic, exciting and wild...and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I came here today to refocus. It was a really long week and there were times where I thought that I wouldn't make it. But no matter what I know that I am strong enough to never give up. But it's when I come here and I am able to just taking in the healing powers of this awesome place that I feel like it's going to be okay...well, eventually. Life happens, and you just have to "roll with the punches" and get through the tough times, because i choose to make my life worth it. Even if it doesn't always seem that way.

As I was watching the ways come in and out and in and out I was thinking of that one quote, "There is nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shore line no matter how many ties it is sent away." The waves kept coming and each time it ran up the shore it created beautiful lines and smoothed out the sand. It's so mesmerizing to watch. If the waves won't give up, I won't give up. Plus, who am I do deny myself a chance to swim in the ocean? If I give up, I wouldn't be able to do that anymore.

The ocean calls to me, but not in that creepy way, but more in a way that it reminds me that my Creator had the amazing idea to create the ocean knowing that it would help people like me get through life. I like that think that God smiled when he made the ocean with all the amazing wonders in it because it was just beautiful. The ocean reminds me that I matter...I am so small standing beside it, but God still continues to make wondrous things happen because it makes me smile.

But this is my soul place...a place where I can regather my thoughts and my strength to keep going. I hope that I never take this place for granted. It's an amazing place to have.