Happy 4th of July.

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Yay! For holidays! We didn't have school today because it's Independence Day...and good, because I really needed this break. This time last year I was in San Diego visiting my sister and her husband in Loma Linda. Hm...that didn't really make any sense...but yeah, I drove down with my brother to Loma Linda to spend 4th of July with them, and we all drove down to San Diego. That was a fun time for me. I ray of sunshine in a really hard time in my life.


Today we woke up really early, well, at least I woke up at 6.am...and drove to Ko'Olina to go snorkeling. I know that a lot of people think that I've gone snorkeling before...and I kind of have...but not intentionally. Meaning, I was swimming in the ocean with goggles on...and it was like snorkeling...but not. This was my first time actually planning to go snorkeling and the whole day...well, not whole day, but the "main attraction" was to go snorkeling.

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I like Ko'Olina. Kind of far to drive...we left the house at 7.am...at got there like 35 minutes later [yes, that is far on this island!]. But I've done a few weddings there...and it's beautiful. The lagoon where we chose to go snorkeling is man-made and super safe. When I first got in the water it wasn't the best water that I've been in here in Hawaii...my first "complaint" was...it's so murky...! Then I swam out further and it was beautiful. Not as colorful coral-wise, but sea-animal wise...beautiful! So many fish and what-not. I didn't get to see a turtle...but if we had gone to a different lagoon, we would have...but I did see a lot of octopus and colorful fish--I don't know their names! Oh, we saw the humu humu nuku nuku āpuaʻa, the angelfish, the...uhm...uhm....prettyfish?! :) That's all I can name...but there were a lot of beautiful fish! I'm definitely going to go snorkeling more often. 


I love living here. When I go swimming in the ocean...in Queen's...people do go there for snorkeling...but I go to there to swim...but when I think about it, yes, I see many fish there too...beautiful fish there. I hope I never take the for granted. And I think God for giving me reason to move here. I love it. No regrets. 

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We were pau before lunch. But it was so worth it. When I asked my friends if they were going to the beach for 4th of July, they ask me if I'm crazy...coz it's jampacked like non-other. The beaches are "The Spot" when it comes to holidays...but I like Ko'Olina because it's like a resort, inclosed place...and so there is a gatehouse that turns people always when there is too many people...so when we got there super early, we were let in...and there wasn't that many people there at the beach. It was perfect...but I guess living here, we don't really ever stay at the beach for a full day. So a couple hours its good for us at most. 


We got home...and it was juss lunch time, so we all showered and did our thing and then my brothers' and I went to go see Transformers III!!! I love Transformers! I really do. And this one didn't disappoint. Granted, I'm a big fan of the new girl...or the storyline that much..[not really bad though]...but drool over the action scenes though. I loved it. I didn't see it in 3D though. I don't really like 3D...but oh, I loved. Kind of long though...well, not kind of...it was long...so I do feel bad for those around me; I can't sit still for long periods of time...but I liked it on the whole. 


Yes, today was a good day. I loved today. Now I have to mentally prepare myself to work tomorrow. Nothing to complain about though...I love my job. OH! How can I forget...yesterday I went with my sister to sign up at the YMCA...and so tomorrow morning I'll be going swimming everyday. It'll be different since I haven't swam in a pool since I came here to Hawaii...I guess living near the ocean spoils me...but I hate swimming alone and so swimming in the ocean at 5.am is out of the question. But this week will be a good week. 


"There is no such thing as automatic doors...just gentlemen ninjas."---this quote so makes me smile! :)

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Movie Night.

Wow, it's a good thing my body is so used to waking up at 6 in the morning...because although my body feels tired...my mind is awake...I didn't get home until 1.30am and didn't go to bed until 2.am...I can not go to proper sleep unless I have brushed my teeth and washed my face...but I did have fun yesterday.

I didn't go to church yesterday, but my sister had told me that they wanted to go tidepooling again. The weather has been really nice and going tidepooling sounded nice to me. So after church when they come home, they brought my friend Josh back to the house and told me that they were going to hold on the tidepooling since my sister came down with a headache. So once again it was me and the boys when went to the beach. We went to Manana Beach in Waimanalo, which is good with me since it is one of my favorite beaches. Not many people out...but there sure were a lot of jellyfish out this time around! So we had to make sure to look out for those stingers.

We were swimming out when K. Neal saw a huge one...me, having gotten stung before and not liking it, swam back to shore...where unfortunately a baby one was waiting for me. It wasn't that bad. But we had a lot of fun...being with the boys is always fun...they are, like all of the male spices, are very competitive...who can hold their breath the longest...swim the furthest...handstand the longest...who can go out furthest and get the most sand from the bottom...that type of thing...when we got to try to stand on each other's backs...like surfing...but more like to see if it could be done. It can't ...but it was super fun and funny trying and watching...try it...it's harder than you think it is!

When we got home Josh and I went to go pick Mel [his fiancee] up, she had just gotten home from work. Their house is the cutest...well, it's a studio...but I like it, there is an opening behind their place, and I would want to live there...BUT...:( it's really far from where I woke and commute would be a bitch. Oh well...they have this most amazing massage chair thingy...oh mandope, I sat in the thing for 30 minutes in bliss. It was wonderful!

When we got home, bringing Mel with us, I hopped in the shower, coz I didn't like all the salt water blah-blahs...and we went to the Seibels house for movie night. It was Mel's and Josh's first time going there...and I know it's a shock when you first get there, it's a beautiful place. HUGE property...and simply beautiful place. Shil had gotten in her shipment of clothes [we're starting a clothing like for Passion Roots] so us girls went to the studio to try on the clothes and Mel was looking through look books and flower books for her wedding. That was fun.

We watched the movie Life Is Beautiful, and I had no idea what it was about...and when I realized that it was about the Holocaust...my heart was in pain. It was a wonderful movie and I would totally recommend it for people to watch. I learned so much from that movie...and that guy was so positive no matter what. I'm not going to give away the ending...but wow. A heartbreaking but positive movie. [If you want to read a semi-movie spoiler for this one, here is the link to a blog entry that says it very nicely.]

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Then everyone went home and it was just my family there...and we watched Unstoppable, another good movie....

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but oh mandope, by 1.30am, I was beat, and it was good to go home to sleep. Now, I'm feeling tired again, so I'm going to lay my ass down for one more hour then get up and make this weekend happen! :)


Giosué Orefice: We won! 
Dora: Yes, we won! Its true. 
Giosué Orefice: We got a thousand points and we won the game! Daddy and me came in first and now we won the real tank! We won! We won! --Life Is Beautiful

Mary Kay: Satin Hands

When my sister and bro-in-law took a trip to California [April 2010], they brought me back my favorite EVER hand spa set. It's by Mary Kay and it's the Satin Hands Pampering Set. I looked up the price and on the Mary Kay Website it was running for $34.00 [although, on amazon.com it could go as low as $19.99). I started liking this when my sister's in-law's gave me this set for Christmas of 2009...and I loved it ever since.

It lasts a long time too. I love doing my nails...I try to do them about once a week...if not at least once every two weeks [when things get too busy], and every time I do my nails, I use the Satin Hands to pamper my hands. I haven't even used the set my sister gave me yet, because I still have the first set that was given me for Christmas. Like I said-it lasts a long time.

Comes in it's own bag!

There are two different types. One smells like peaches and the other is fragrance free. I personally like the scented one. The set comes with a 1) Hand Softener, 2) Hand Scrub, 3) Hand Cream.

The Satin Hand Softener is the first step. This seems more like a thick gel like thingy that you smear all over your hands. At first, I was like, what is this?! But it smells good and it feels like it locks in your moisture that you have in your hands without it making it feel sweaty.

The second step would be the Satin Hands Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub. This one is a lot thicker and has these little beads in it so that it can exfoliate the dead skin on your hands. I usually massage this around my hands for about 3-5 mintues...it all depends on what I'm doing...sometimes I'm watching a t.v. show while doing this *laughs*...so I just wait until a commercial or something so that I can wash off the beads and not miss anything! But when you wash your hands, wow! It's really soft and smooth feeling!

The last step is the Satin Hands Hand Cream.  I love this lotion softener, because on it's own, I like to carry around a travel size of it just to keep my hands moisturized. It goes on a lot smoother then the gel stuff that you first put on. It super moisturizes your hands [and my hands tend to go dry...especially with all the hand washing when I work.]

I would totally recommend this. You can use it really quick and get the same results as when you would take your time...I think as long as you scrub your hands enough with the scrub...it should do it's job. I love this and I know I would use it for years to come...

"What goes around, comes back around....oh baby..."-Beyonce Best Thing I've Never Had [yes, I have that song in my head!]

Super Relaxed.

Wow! When I woke up this morning, I didn't think that my day would end up so relaxing! A wonderful surprise if I say so myself. :)

The kids have been a bit roudy this week...nothing that I couldn't handle, but still super frustrating at times. Today though, I swear they all had straight up sugar for breakfast before coming in! *laughs* It wasn't only my class that was super hyper. I had to step out a few times and help with the other classes when their class became too much...a lot of the kids had gone on vacation...this being a long weekend, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise when the second in command [my boss also went on vacation] asked me if I wanted to go home early.

She then went on the say that she wanted to ask me first because she realized that I never asked to leave early or have days off; that I always offered to stay late and close, sometimes working 10 hour shifts, just so that the other could go home early [if an opportunity presents itself]. She said that I deserve a break give myself some relax time. Since a lot of the kids went on a long weekend vacation, there didn't have to be all the teachers there to watch the kids. So I went.

It was a relaxing day. I was suppose to go to the Y with my sister...but I haven't been able to get a car yet since mine was totaled in the accident, and my brother's car...well, he was fixing the break and changing the tires...and just doing the car check up on it...not knowing that I was going to come home early. He felt bad, but it was okay...I ended up cleaning the whole house, my room, and doing random projects that I had put aside, but now had time to do. I plan to go to the Y to sign up on Sunday...after I swim at the beach. So no worries there.

I love long weekends...but coming in on Tuesday will be a pain since the children will have to go get used to a schedule again. I guess the younger you are, the fast you forget "schedule." *laughs* oh well...they are all angels and I love them.

I ended my perfect, relaxing day with spring rolls from Saigon Noodle House [my older brother went out and got some for my sister and I]...and I caught up on Covert Affairs. Now, I'm here sipping my Honeyed Chai Tea...smiling because I love living here in "paradise".

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Beginning of July.

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Yeah!! A new month! I can already tell that this is going to be GREAT month! *laughs* Yeah, ms. Chop...way to keep positive [especially after such a negative last month! *laughs*] What comes to mind when I think of July?! Hm...

I think summer. Like the middle of super hot summer...and my first summer here in Hawaii. Not on vacation. Coz yeah, I've been here in Oahu for vacation...but I'm not on vacation right now...so I'm happy to see what comes this month.

My sister wants me to join the Y[MCA] with her. She approached me yesterday about helping her to be motivated about working out in the morning and in the afternoon...so I said that yes, for the next six month I will be getting my ass up earlier than my 6:am to go to the Y. I am still staying with 24 hour fitness...coz  I really like that place...I'm not sure when I'll join up at the Y...but we will see. More exercising for me! Yay! :)

This is the last month of summer school at my preschool. So I'll be looking forward to a more steady schedule for the kids...not that it's out of whack right now...it's more like "flexible" like. *laughs* My challenge for school this month is more patience for the new teacher. She really isn't a horrible person...it's just that I think I'm having a little trouble meshing with her teaching style...I can't really tell what it is...other than "whatever happens happens." And even though it's a good thing to keep in mind..not for teaching.

I've been singing more...and playing the piano more...and more involved with music. Which excites me more...because I do have a passion for music. Music will always be running in my veins to keep me alive. Without it, I don't know what will happen. Maybe I'll do something with my flute too. I mean, I did bring it with me...so I should use it.

I also going to see if I can fit more time working with weddings and events. I've kind of put that on the shelf for awhile, but now that things are kind of slow with my preschool job...I'm going to see if I can take the stress [and fun] or doing events again. I miss it.

I'm still swimming...but I want to swim more. I swear I want to be a mermaid! *laughs* But this hot summer month, I want to swim more.

What else is there to look forward to this month?! Uhm...well, I know that I have to start saving money coz I was asked to bridesmaid for two different weddings...abroad. So, I'll be working my ass off to make enough money to make the money. It's good that I have been at both jobs for more than a year now so that I can time off without feeling bad.

Oh yeah, and I'm going to start writing more reviews for random things...I already have a few places, things, items, girlie stuff, websites, music, books in mind...and so when I look back through the years, I can see the stuff that I was into in the year 2011. [That is the main reason why I like to keep this blog going. :) For memory saving!]

And I'm seriously thinking of getting a fishtank with some fish. I've been wanting one for some time now...and so now, I think it's time. :)

Well, I can't really think what else so, here is to this month of July!! Bring it on...I can't wait to see what is in store for this month!

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"Do not regret growing older, it is a privilege denied to many."-Unknown



*P.S. before I forget...RABBIT! RABBIT!!

End of June.

I survived. I did keep busy...and if I did blog this month, you would have known just how busy I kept myself so that I didn't have time to think. But I didn't blog, and I don't regret it...but I will write a very fast up-to-date that end of month thingy...just the highlights...some ups and some downs.

I got to talk to my parents several times this month! I would be so happy to get off of work to see a few miscalls from my parents...knowing that I was able to call them back and talk to them for a few hours. Yep, a few hours. I miss them so much.

Things with the new teacher has been pretty up and down. I have to hold in a lot of my frustration; I tell myself every day that I was once new...so just help her. But seeing everything that I worked so hard with the children to learn come apart just frustrates me. But it definitely is not as bad as it was way in the beginning. I'm getting used to the idea that I have to really go out of my job description to get the day going  with a smile on my face. Maybe I'm just exaggerating just a little bit. But there is no doubt that there is that one co-worker that you really don't get along with. Oh well...it's not as bad...and there can be worst things in the world, so I'm good...for now.

My birthday was fun. I went to work, but got to come home early...and I was happy about that. The kids knew it was my birthday so when I got to work, I was bombarded with hugs...like I am every morning, but this time instead of "Good Morning Aunty...!" It was "Happy birthday, Aunty!" Oh, I love all those kids...it wasn't only the kids in my class but in all the other classes too. When I got home my family and a few friends of mine went to my favorite local restaurant, Saigon Noodle House, and then I came home and opened presents. I loved everything I got...my family and friends really do know me and what I love. :)

Thank you Tracy for my birthday Roses; I love roses. Pink Roses. :)

The sad part was, on my birthday also, my friend's family back in California/Washington had an accident...the little girl [7] died on the spot, the little boy was in critical condition...died a few days later...but the older one to my knowledge made it...but is not talking...I assume he is overcome with grief. I would be too. I think he was 18 years old. The mom was the one driving and she lost control of the car when the tired popped...and the van rolled several times throwing two of the children more than 50 feet [about]. Very sad. The family is in my prayers.

I still love swimming in the ocean. One of my favorite things to do on this island. The beach. I still hate swimming in the shallow...the deeper the better...but I like it better when I can see the bottom. I do not like swimming above coral...I realize that I'm much more at peace if I'm swimming at least 8 feet above the coral...other than that...I start panicking...but I can do it. I know it's all mental, and I'm working on it. Still I don't like swimming next to coral. And the jellyfish continue to scare me. *laughs* I'm more scared of jellyfish than I am of sharks! *laughs*

On June 19, 2011 we had a BBQ at our house in celebration of the June babies and Father's day. That was a lot of fun. So. Much. Good. Food. So I will not complain about the mess that my family and I had to clean up afterwards. But it was a lot of fun. During the party, my friend told me that his boat was "totaled" [LONG story!]...and I'm bummed about that...coz I love boating! But he's going to get it fixed, so hopefully in a couple of months it will be okay...a lot of damage. But yeah.

I'm getting use to the shock of being around so many hot guys at the gym now. *laughs* I still am kind of self-conscious when I go...but I love how they are all so friendly...in a way that you KNOW that they are not trying to make you self-conscious. They are so helpful when they see that I'm struggling...but I still struggle at running on the treadmill...so I don't think that I'll be doing that...I will be just running the 3 mile loop around my neighborhood if I want to go jogging. *laughs* Much better that way.

I still would be so much happier if June never exist...but since it does, I will have to live with it. It wasn't as bad as I thought that it would be...but my heart is still heavy with all of the loved ones that I lost at the same time, this time last year. And I know that if I dwell and think about it...my heart seems so heavy it feels like it would stop. But it's the end of the month, and I will be able to move on once more.

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It's by the ocean, in the middle of a field of pink flowers, reading a book. Seems to me this is the ultimate happy place! :)

Beginning of June.

June. My birthday month. A month full of heartbreaking memories. I think I will not blog this month. I need my strength to keep strong. Maybe next year I won't be so sad. RIP my Baili. I love you.