Mele Kalikimaka a me Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Wishing all of you a wonderful and blessed holiday season!

Mele Kalikimaka a me Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Blood Drive

I gave blood for the 3rd time this year! Yippee!

I know that there are those that just can't do it - the needle is just too much to handle.

I just focus on the reason why I'm giving - saving lives! That's one way of giving right? Costs nothing but your time.

Hanging out at Conie All Hair...

You know the new iPhone 4S, that has Siri? Well, itʻs not really all that accurate when it comes to HAWAIIAN WORDS, so you can only imagine...

"Conie all hair..."

"Conie okay..."

All equates to Kaneʻohe!!!

What the heck...

It's Christmas and what am I thinking...

I've realized that no matter what happens in life, I'm still always in control of my own destiny. No one can take that away from me.

Gosh, yeah, I know I have a lot of faults. A LOT. Now whether or not that is a good thing, I am who I am.

With all the blessings and positive things that have been happening in my life, I tend to take 10 steps back with the negative that pushes me on the inside and out.

Am I even making any sense????

Motivational Quote of the Day...

"Chase your passion - not your pension. If you are not doing what your passion is, you are putting it on layaway."
Denis Waitley

OMG... only 10 more days..

The days are just flying by and I haven't even gotten my kids their Christmas gifts!!! ACK!!!

Thoughts about the marathon

There were all walks of life that were running this marathon… from the HUGE Japanese entourage (they probably made the bulk of the runners), to the costumes that people wore…

People were running for many causes – Team to end Aids… Finding a cure for Leukemia… In memory of - their Mom, Dad, Grandma, friend, cousin… to thank everyone for help to Japan…

Some ran to start their life with someone by proposing before crossing the finish line… Some ran the race for the very first time (Like ME!) Some have ran it so many times, they could make a quilt! Young as 8 years old that day, to 93 years old…

Some ran in costume! I saw Darth Vader…the Viking guy… Mario and Luigi… a guy on stilts… Mickey and Minnie Mouse… a guy in a tux… a gal in a veil…a lady in a cheetah outfit… a guy in a tiger outfit… a Hawaiian Warrior (full getup too!)… Santa… a sexy Mrs. Claus…hats of all sorts that had characters on them like snowmen, antlers…many colored afros… tutus of all colors… someone ran with the American Flag all the way… some ran in cadence… some even ran BAREFEET. Crazy… there was one guy that had a swan/goose hat with the “matching” swan goose shorts – the swan/goose was bobbing up and down as he ran… I even saw a guy with an actual faucet in front of his shorts! What the heck…

What got me most of all were the people that came out to cheer all of us… Of course there were the sponsored events people – JAL, HIS, JTB, Satohap… with all their noise makers and cheering everyone to continue going… there were the smaller stores like Lululemon that had their signs of encouragement – “You are a winner” “You can do it” “I believe in You”…

There were families and friends that came out to cheer for their significant other with food and signs… I got choked up with the first two signs running up Kapiolani Blvd.. a little girl in her stroller at 5:15 in the morning. Her Dad was there sipping his cup of coffee. She was holding a sign “I love you mommy!”… Then there was an elderly lady with her big white sign that read “You are all Winners!”

I thanked people that were just saying such wonderful words, encouraging us to continue. They were out there cheering us on and I had no idea who they were! I told them “Thank you for being there.”

When starting the race, I looked up at the moonlit sky, and thanked God and my Mom…. The fireworks were amazing!!! I couldn’t stop looking at the sky so lit up in lights! There were over 27,000 people that were running the race and yes, for those of you that thought we were crazy… yes, there were thousands of us that certainly were!

When I saw my family, my sister was taking pictures of us running.. my kiddies with their signs that read “Awesome You”… I was told later that it was supposed to say “You are Awesome”. Ha ha ha! I think the 1st one was sufficient enough.

As of today, I’m finally recovered… had my pedicure the next day, and relaxed. I’m ready to go back to running and staying fit again for the next race. What’s that you ask? The Great Aloha Run, Ford Island Run, Pearl Harbor Run… just for starters…

Honolulu Marathon 2011

Wow… What an experience to remember.

First of all, I’d like to thank key people that helped me through this journey to the Honolulu Marathon… God… thank you for allowing me to walk, run, and do things that I am able to do because you made me to be who I am. Mom… for being my guardian angel, watching over me, taking care of me from where you are… it’s because of you that I am inspired by your determination when things were down, you still continued to persevere. I love you forever MOMMY!!!

To Emma Chang - You are an inspiration to all. In honor of you, your light will always shine in those that believe, that anything is possible. Thank you for being a part of this life. I know you are certainly shining in the next! Love and miss your light! God bless you!

To my Sis, Ger – my Manang… you have been MY wind and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Thank you for the carbo loading night! That was perfect!! Thank you for bringing my kiddies to the finish line! And the beautiful signs!!! Thank you for the pictures that I will FOREVER cherish. You captured expressions and moments that I will look back and tear and smile joyfully as I was able to cross the finish line.

My Chillin’s… Jayna – Thank you for the iShuffle “Kermit”…I was able to listen to music the entire duration of the race… Chrislyn – Thank you for loading HUNDREDS of music onto Kermit. I didn’t even get to loop through all the songs. How ironic that at the moment I was feeling down and only 2 miles to go, what song comes up? Today My Life Begins… Ethan – Thank you for always encouraging me that I can do it! Your hugs, your smiles, you make everything in the world disappear and I can only see you and your heart. Thank you. You three are my feet that keep me going!!!

My Friends – so countless! Trudie – encouraging me from afar and eating carbs to get ready “with” me. Chica Apisa – you are so forever my lifelong friend! Arna - for believing in me!!! You are a beautiful light! My co-workers Lele, Yushiu, Ashlyn, Christian, Joann, Sarah, Dennis… so many of you that helped me believe, get ready, and continue to encourage me. Lele, thank you for holding down the fort on Monday!!! HAF – Diane and Kimo… thank you for having Deana and I join and crossfit with your ‘ohana. I am so sorry we didn’t get to stop by! I was so sore!!!! My Leahi Moms gang… I am so grateful to have you all in my life! Thank you for believe in me too! Tracey… What can I say? I think we were soul sisters… I miss you immensely!!! To all my FB friends – you are amazing to me! Each and every post you wrote made me realize how I am blessed to have GREAT friends!!! I don’t want to miss anyone else, but know that I am SO grateful and encouraged and feel so LOVED by ALL OF YOU!!!

My running mate & best friend Deana – thank you. August 2010, you broke your right ankle and were out of commission for 5 months… no running, no jumping, no soccer, no nothing. You were determined to be physically fit and ready for spring soccer 2011. With pt all squared away, your first run was the Great Aloha Run. That was 8 miles… then the Ford Island Run 10K… the half marathon 13 miles… the Freedom Run 10K…the PF Chang 30K… Turkey Trot 10K… and now the 26 mile run – the Honolulu Marathon… What a year to complete that many runs and still played soccer! Yes, you inspire me! Even though I pushed you to run 16 miles, you pushed me the final 4 to keep going. Thank you for everything!!!

Two Days and Counting!!!

Can't believe it...

Picked up the race packets today - I'm number 6030. Apparently, if you download an app, you can track me by the chip I'll be wearing on my shoe!

Okay - no turning back now!!

Here we go!

Thank you all for supporting!

Honolulu Marathon - here we go!!!

2200 cal of carbs

Do you know how much 2,200 calories of carbs is??? I have to consume that much by this Saturday, 5:00 pm.

Breakfast
2 cups dry breakfast cereal (48g carbs)
1 cup nonfat milk (12g carbs)
1 banana (27g carbs)
2 halves toasted English muffin with 2 tbs. strawberry jam (25 + 26g carbs)
8 oz orange juice (26g carbs)...................................................................................................164g carbs
Snack
1 PowerBar® Performance Energy bar (45g carbs)
1 cup of fresh fruit salad (32g carbs)
8oz Ironman PERFORM™ sports drink (17g carbs)...................................................................................................94g carbs
Lunch
1 turkey sandwich with 2 slices sourdough bread (30g carbs)
1 cup fresh or canned fruit (32g carbs)
16oz Ironman PERFORM™ sports drink (34g carbs)...................................................................................................96g carbs
Snack
16oz fruit smoothie (62g carbs)
5 saltine crackers (11g carbs)...................................................................................................73g carbs
Dinner
2 cups noodles with stir-fried chicken (80g carbs)
1 cup broccoli (10g carbs)
1 cup fresh fruit (32g carbs)
20oz soft drink (68g carbs)...................................................................................................190g carbs
Snack
PowerBar® Performance Energy bar (45g carbs)
8oz Ironman PERFORM™ sports drink (17g carbs)...................................................................................................62g carbs
Total: ...................................679g carbs

Now that's ONLY 679 carbs for the day. I KNOW I didn't have anything close to that!!! ACK!!! Even if I was to start now, I wouldn't have made my mark.
Well, it's lasagna tonight. I had Pho this afternoon... hmm... Spaghetti tomorrow... what else...

Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary is its last...

Seventy years ago, Pearl Harbor was bombed and over 2,000 military (not including civilians) were gone in a matter of time... Here we are now with just a handful of those surviving and no more commemorative moments every year. Today was its last. How tearful to read through the writings, watching the videos and seeing the tears in these people's eyes... They were here to let us know, to let us remember, they were once "kids" too and they had to grow up so fast in a time when it was just fun, be in Hawaii, and be so carefree.

Don't forget ever. Their memories will always be remembered by those that will share the stories.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/135164373.html?id=135164373

OMG... 4 more days...

Preparing for this marathon has definitely been a journey... I think with all things said and done, I've done all I could've done! Now (as everyone's told me) - it's all mental from here!

There's even a tracking in the running chip that we get. So if you're interested you can track where I'm at during the race! How's that!!!

Look up www.honolulumarathon.org for more information!

Ten more days...

ACK!!!

A new day...

It was a difficult day yesterday, but today - a whole new day!

I think we need PEACE, LOVE, and need to PRAY!

I thank everyone for their well wishes, their POSITIVE thoughts and words! Hugs and everything helped LOTS!!!

Prayers...

Today was a hard day... I usually am able to take "complaints" and not take it personally... Today... today was hard... shaking... crying... why do people cause pain like that?
I ended up praying for him so that he finds peace...

Blessings by a Higher Consciousness...

I was so fortunate to have the time and have friends be available to have a wonderful experience - blessings by the Angels and Company! You have to have an open mind, heart, and being to even think about doing this.

Because the family was away (yes, EVERYONE) I was able to take this time and opportunity to do something for myself. ME. There were many tears shed, lots of breathing in and out, and believing in myself.

Now, I have to think - what makes me happy? What brings joy for me and me alone?

I have to make myself happy in order for me to make others happy.

Heavenly Father, and all the Angels - please guide me to be who I am supposed to be, to do what Iʻm supposed to do, and to be strong when the time comes to make hard decisions.

Thanksgiving weekend...

What a wonderful Thanksgiving Time! I am truly blessed to have friends and family surrounding me!

With everything thatʻs been going on, Iʻm so glad that Iʻve cleared the air, made things known, and in the process, finding ME. I am here on this earth to learn, grow, and be the person God created me to be. I must fulfill that before I can depart from this world! So, I have a lot to learn!! Iʻm not leaving anytime soon!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Wishing all of you a wonderful and thankful holiday season.

I am so truly grateful and thankful for my family - my kiddies keep me in check and so feeling very loved!!!My health - physically & mentally, My friends - so supportive!!! My God - He keeps me REAL. My love - thank you.

Cinna-YUM!!!

Mixed the Red Velvet topping - Macadamia Nut cream AND there was also Guava cream... geez.. I'm gonna have to run this off at the GYM!!! It was sooo well worth it!!

Have you been to Cinnayums in Kailua??? I don't know when they started making the Red Velvet Pancakes.. but what the heck...

Me & the kiddies

I LOVE MY KIDS!!! They're leaving with their dad... well... today! SIGH!!! They're going to the Big Island for Thanksgiving with his family. I wanted to spend time with them before they left for the weekend. I already miss them! I know, they're only another island away, but my little feeties... I do love them dearly. God - please watch over them and keep them safe!!!

Dinner and TIME with the Babes!!!

Dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory!

Visiting Nanang...

My nephew, John-John, looks JUST LIKE HIS DAD... spitting image!!! He is visiting here until the 29th and will be back on the mainland thereafter. Sooo glad I got a chance to see him and he saw my 2 of 3 kiddies. :P

Had a nice quick visit with Nanang Pipay! It's been so long!!! She of course looks fabulous as ever!!!

Busy week...

Yup, her too! Both were not really smiling - I made Deana smile though...

Game against Aiola - held them off in the first half, but we were so exhausted by 2nd half!! Lost 3-0 in the end. It was all good, but had to ice two of our players... Enjoying the moment...

Sorry for the delay. It's been a week... Anyway, started the weekend with a great breakfast with a SMILE!!! Gotta LOVE Japanese bakeries! They make eating breakfast fun!!! This one had apples inside! Gonna try the Choco Bear next time...

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

~Mark Twain

What's on my desktop

There are days when I am just thinking nothing.. and when I close everything out on my computer at the end of the day, this is what I see...

My Mokulele boy and peace.

When Joy is Missing in Your Life

What choice do you make on a dreary day, when the flowers wilt and the clouds hover in shades of gray? When the one you love speaks a harsh word, your body aches and the work you once loved seems but a bore? When there’s much to do and little time to do it, mistakes slow your progress, crisis holds you down, and you feel all alone in the wilderness of life?

These are the times when it’s easy to forget that joy is a choice. Joy is not just something that happens when circumstances are great—unless of course that’s the only time you allow yourself to receive the joy that is here for you. YOUR Joy cannot be limited by the people, events and circumstances in your life.

You are the sole individual capable of placing shackles on the feet of your joy. Fortunately, you are also the one who holds the key to those shackles.

Are You Tapped In, Tuned In, Turned On to Joy?

Joy is a choice…a daily, hourly, momentary choice. In any situation, we may choose to react in whatever way we please.
If you are blessed with the gift of life again tomorrow, you will once more face opportunities to choose your way back to joy. Sometimes, the choice is easy. A hummingbird takes flight right before your eyes, the sun shines perfectly on your garden, your mate’s happy mood brightens your day. There is no difficulty in choosing joy in such moments.

But variety is the spice of life.

Compassion & Suffering...

“When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That’s the message he is sending.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

What is a mental breakdown?

Mental breakdown (also known as a nervous breakdown) is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.
=====================
With that being said... I think it's time for me to really make a decision for me. Not for anyone else. For me. And I know I will hurt other people along the way, even those that I love very dearly, I have to make myself happy...

I was told (and I quote) "As long as I know what I need to do in my heart, and have cleared this in my soul and with God, I have to leave the rest ot Him. He will carry me through this."

Another quote - "Live is a long lesson in humility".
* So does this mean I have to humble myself and take it? That's the whole reason why I left him in the first place...

Quote...

Motivational Quote of the Day

"Always do right - this will gratify some and astonish the rest."

Mark Twain

And Bob Marley Lives on...

SHA - Chrislyn's first game!

Chrislyn's first game - SHA vs. MidPac!!! She's #20 and playing full back.

I am so proud of her!!! Even though the score was not in their favor, they all played well for their first time together!

GOOO LANCERS!!!

It's 11:11 on 11/11/11

Yup! I got it on film! 11:11, on 11/11/11!!!!

Waipio Soccer... SIGNAGE!

Where I work, signage is a big deal. You have to be clear and consistent with your words. In this case, the soccer fields in waipio has 3 different signs, and although it's leading you to the right direction, the consistency is so not!

Veteran's Day Weekend...

Veteran's Day weekend was Super Busy... I'll post a few photos in a bit...

Costco and their "deals"...

I was a Costco one day with my sister - gosh... it was awhile ago...

Anyway, here's this couch. It was a GREAT DEAL, I should've bought it. It was like under $200.00 and came with everything there. Soooo comfortable.

Next time I went again, no more. :(

Note to self - when you see it at Costco, just buy the kayak...

APEC - It's here and everywhere too!

Signs everywhere to be mindful of APEC and traffic... lots of TRAFFIC...

Harder for some - especially those in the Waikiki area, but where I'm at - it's okay. :)

These people on the other hand, traffic is certainly not the issue.

We are the 99% and have a voice. They've been camping out since last week...

And there she is again...

Here at Ward Center - and lo and behold - there's my sis again! She's all over the place...

Saw her on Maui..

Saw her at Windward Mall...

Saw her at Ala Moana Shopping Center...

She's everywhere!!!

Just a little...

PATIENCE DAISY...

Why???

So my question of the day -

I call, email, text, facebook someone. They post their status updates, answer everything else from everyone else, except mine. I don't understand...

Why say you're available or you'll call back, but it doesn't happen?

Sometimes I think I'm taken for granted and I can wait... But y'know, I have a life too...

Motivational Quote of the Day

"Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out."

Art Linkletter

* So when there's an argument, it doesn't make any sense to anybody - it isn't the best choise to argue in the first place!

Motivational Quote for Today

Motivational Quote of the Day

"Empty yourself and let the universe fill you."

Yogi Tea

Yummy Lunchie!!!

Ate here for lunch today! YUM - Hawaiian Poke Bowl!!!

Thing 1...

Yesterday, Thing 1 had her physical exam. Assessment was great. She's good on height (well, not that she can do anything about it), weight (well, relatively OK on that too), etc. Then it came to the talk about having the 2 shots. Again, I was pulled back to when she was a baby and how much she did not like shots. The crying, the screaming, the everything trying to get out of having shots.

So here we were, at 17 years of age, and she's still the same little girl that cannot and will not deal with shots. :( I held her again like when she was little... as she leaned into me, the crocodile tears came down my shirt... sigh...

I don't think it matters what age your children are, they're still your baby.. And I wanted to stay like this for just a few minutes more... I love being a Mom... I love being her Mommy.

Fairy...

Is it a sign that her wings are falling???? What is going on???

Thank you, Lord for giving me such wonderful and loving children. They could've been with friends and not even wanting to go trick or treating.. but here they were, hanging with me and I am so truly grateful!!

My LOVES - I love you!!!

Halloween in Kane'ohe this time...

My little LOVES! Jayna gave up her teen time to be with me!!! Thing 3 of course our Ninja, Thing 2 all dressed in black (no, I don't know what she was), and Thing 1 - fairy...

Need I say anything more about Leo????

Admin time - Lele (cross dresser monkey/bear/???), Janna as the pirate, Sarah our witch, and me again!

All dressed - me (the sock monkey), Sandi (Eve from Wall-E), Sheina as the sexy witch, and our very own Ashlyn as a zebra!

My "nerdy'" daughter going off to school yesterday - Happy Halloween!

More of the weekend adventures...

And we end up at Taco Del Mar for a yummy Mexican dinner!

My Oldest as a Rocket ship... doesn't it say 3T???

He is actually my BIG pumpkin. :)

Here are the pumpkins - the BIG one was the one he chose!

What a weekend!!!

No Chrislyn this time, but Pili was there to represent!!! And she got her own pumpkin!! Ethan got his own BIG pumpkin...

Still had time to go pumpkin patch picking!!! Thank you Aloun Farms once again for GREAT pumpkins!!!

Went to Ala Moana to look for costumes and stuff. I was at Old Navy looky for a monkey outfit to put together... Ethan was busy in the Lego store making "stuff".. I decided on making my own "thing" :)

Surf Sale at KSBE! These 3 gals are the next "Na Leo" - they were just fabulous and their harmony was AMAZING!!! Look out for them... okay so I forgot their names, but if you see them - that's them!!! :P

Honolulu Marathon... oh boy...

This is the crazy route I will be taking in just over 6 weeks... I'm scared and petrified!!! ACK!!!

Me - back in the days of first playing soccer

Here I am with my MISFITS team. Can't believe how fast time has flown and it's now 6 years since! I think we even started way before 2005...This was an awesome team to be a part of...