Let there be LIGHT!!

Last night at about 6:45pm, our electricity went out as we were eating dinner. Luckily my mother is crazy for candles because we weren't completely in the dark.

But the crazy part is that almost the entire island with an exception of a few places went out too.

Here we are, over 16 hours later. The power finally came on about 12pm or so.

LET THERE BE LIGHT!!!

Christmas 2008!

This Christmas was all about the family. I haven't been home for a holiday in 4 years. I would say that those were long years but that would be an incredible lie. Those years passed before your eyes. Can you believe that in a week it'll be 2009? OMG!!

All the new years resolutions are in the works and many are unfortunately broken quickly. Losing weight. Quitting smoking. Don't do this, do that. All of them are well thought out and are great for you once carried thru.

May all you be better than years past. I know I need to.

Take care and Merry Christmas to you all!!!

Soon it'll be here...

"Mele Kalikimaka"

Christmas is a matter of 2 days away. Isn't that crazy. I've wrapped so many gifts that I'm almost ready for Thursday too come. That way there is no more wrapping, just the clean-up, lots of food and well needed R & R....

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!!!

Newest pictures!

This is Maika. He was an "Angel!"

This is Makena. She'll walk before she crawls.

And this is Meka. He has a mind of his own!

Hello all my friends.

I have some pictures of my niece Makena and nephews Maika and Meka. A mouthful isn't it? It's been great spending time with them. They all have there own personalities. Maika is 9 and very helpful, Meka is 19 months and likes to cruise, then there Makena at 8 months. She like to cruise too but also likes to be entertained. She thinks I'm funnier than anything she's ever seen before.

It's all good. My sisters lucky that all her kids are pretty calm. They aren't criers or anything.

Have a great Christmas and New Year!

Christmas!

Christmas is fast approaching. How time truly flies. I have been fortunate to spend the past 2 weeks with my family. Especially my new niece Makena and nephew Meka. They are so cute.

It's been a really long time since I've been around a baby.. let alone 2 of them. They are what makes decorating that much more special. They appreciate it so much more. My niece Makena is all about the lights. Absolutely go's nuts for them and ends up talking to them. It's so funny. Meka just likes to look. They both look at EVERYTHING! Kids are curious.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!!! Take care...

Until next time....

I'm back!

So yesterday was turkey day 2008. I spent the morning with my very good friend and her family in Washington. By 6 that evening, I was on a flight coming back to Hawaii.

That's right. I'm back. I left a lot of good people that I'm sure I'll see again but for now, I'm home.

I miss and love you all in Seattle. You guys made my time there very memorable. And the people I spoke to in California for work, Aloha!

My old friend Toni!

I just found out that a friend of mine that I've known for the past 15 year or so had a brain tumor. She went into surgery which was tricky and has recently opened her eyes after a induced coma.

She is one of the most positive people I've ever met. It's so sad that this happened to her but I'm sure that she'll be fine. God will help her pull thru it.

If you know Toni and want to help, her family started a blog:
http://www.tonikaonohi.blogspot.com/

They have a benefit Ho'olaulea on November 1 in the shack Waikiki.
More info is on her page.

Cruise to Alaska!! On the Star Princess!!

Last month my mother and Auntie Heidi came from Hawaii to meet me for a cruise. The next day my other Auntie, Bonnie, came from Denver. We hung out with a bunch of shopping and eating. The next morning was the day to board the ship. I've been on 3 other Princess ships before. They are all so beautiful.

My family absolutely enjoyed themselves. I think the favorite was lobster night. And Auntie Bonnie liked the casino. I have to admit the once I finally started playing, I like it too. I won a little everytime.

I've worked for Princess now going on 4 years. It's definitely a true story that after your first cruise, your hooked....

Going home!

A friend of mine was only 22 weeks pregnant and her son was on his way in and out of this world. The funeral was yesterday. It's so sad to bury your children. I'm thankful that my mom, dad, brother, sister, and all my nieces and nephews are still with me. There were a couple of close calls but God is good.

I thank God all the time for the family that I do have. I don't get to see them often but when I do, we have fun and lots of laughs.

In a month I get to take a cruise to Alaska with my mom and 2 of my Aunties. We'll have a lot of fun. My mother's birthday happens to be on that cruise. PARTAY!

Today's message!

I went to church today for the first time in weeks, months probably. And everytime is like the message is just for me. It's amazing how God is talking to you through someone else. One of the passages that was on the notes from church was:

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 (NIV)

The message at church today was don't lose heart... with the focus of hope.

It was a good message. I hope you all have a great week. Love you all. Take care and God Bless!

MUAH!

The next baby girl!

So I have always been the baby girl in the family...

Let me present the newest addition to the family.

My sister Misty and brother-in-law Livi had a baby girl yesterday afternoon. She was 7 lbs and about 11 ozs and 20 inches long. So my big sister finally has her baby girl.

Her name is Makena. She has 2 big brothers to look after when she gets older... Meka and Maika. Meka and Makena and 2 weeks shy of 1 year apart. I'm not sure of who will look after who. If Makena is anything like Misty... we'll see! :-)

I'll post a picture when I get a picture...

I love you all....

Take care and God Bless!!!

Happy Easter!

Hello to all my friends and family from afar!

Today is another day that the Lord has made...
Yesterday where I live was a Easter egg hunt for the kids and a short skit about what Jesus went through for us.

I'm always amazed about life. I remember when I was a kid, I use to just think out of the blue, I can't believe that I can walk. I can't believe that I can see. That's amazing! The things that we can do in life are just amazing!

I can't wait until the summer muddles along. It'll be warmer and sunny. I'll see my mother and my Aunties soon. I miss my family everyday. Especially for the holidays.

But there is one thing that will never change....

You are all, always in my heart!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!! AND I MISS YOU ALL!!!
Until the next time...

Team work!

I have been the team captain of about 10 co-workers for the "Princess Alaska Iditarod Challenge!" The Grand prize was a work paid Fam. (Familiarization trip). My team was determined and we worked really hard and encouraged each other. And guess what. In the end it was quite close but 30 miles divided 1st and 2nd place. The tally is in and I get to go to ALASKA and my job pays!!!

They pay the airfare, lodging and food. We also get some tours included!!!

What an awesome trip to look forward too...

Cruising!

My job revolves around... What dining do you prefer?.... or; Would you like a queen or twin size bed?....; Do you want air with this reservation? But what you get after the fact is....

A FOREVER CRUISER....

I've had people call and say, "I've just got off your ship and I'm hooked!" They think that cruising is the best thing ever. And I have a hard time disagreeing. There is no cell service for the most part... The internet is more like turtle DSL... So you are forced to do some much needed R and R!

The last couple of times I was on a ship, I ate myself silly. They have the best food. The fruit is fresh and the fish is perfect. And a 24 hour buffet. Who could ask for anything more? I mean... really!

I like my job and trust me.... People are crazy for cruising...

Ode to the New Year!

Well, here we are... 2008!

For the first time in a really long time I went to church. In the words of my mother sunday afternoon, "I'm so proud of you!"

I feel that I have some sort of calling. I have been sent to Washington for a reason. Every step of the way I've have met interesting people and have had just as interesting encounters that I've been able to help with in one way or another and put myself to good use. After all, everything happens for a reason.

When I decided to move here it was actually God who made that choise. I prayed about it and God said yes, go.

Here I am 3 years later. I've met a lot of new people and have been to 2 other states and another country. I think that's pretty darn good. And all of that without flying. You can't say you can do that back home.

So for the message from church... it was:

"Don't worry, Be happy!"