random villain

The Man on the Moon

2009-08-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

Today is a monumental day in my life...I am meeting my biological father after 30 years of curiosity. The last time he saw me in person was the day I was born, so it's a pretty big deal for both of us.

At first, I was a basket of nerves; not knowing how him or I will react to each other, unsure if I will measure up to his expectations and vice versa.

As the time for us to meet closes in, the veil of uncertainty also disperses. All doubt is flooding from my pores, and I just feel weightless, almost as if I could float into the universe and never return. This is the most sureal experience I have had up to this point in my life, and I'm holding onto it with dear life. I don't want it to slip away...

Today is a monumental day in my life...today I am meeting The Man on the Moon...

Moving Day(s)

2009-05-27T18:35:00.000-07:00

Three years have come and gone...which can only mean 1 thing: PCS time. I cannot believe our time in Hawaii has already come to an end. It seems like we just arrived on island, I'm not ready to say goodbye yet. But, whether I'm ready or not, that PCS date is rapidly approaching.

Last week we had to pack our entire material lives into large wooden crates and send it on its way across the ocean. Here's hoping it doesn't fall in!

Getting on that airplane in a few weeks will prove to be hard for me. I've thouroughly enjoyed being "lost" out at sea...on a beautiful tropical island that feels almost like it's own universe. Where no matter where you went, the air always smelled like flowers...where everyone feels like Ohana...where my heart will always long to be, even if for only a moment.

Mililani Car Show

2009-04-12T16:29:00.000-07:00

Last night B and I went to a gathering of car enthusiasts showing off their prized possessions. The horse power was so thick in the air you could cut it with a knife...

This is a 2003 SVT Cobra Convertible 10th Anniversary edition (B's car!)

Here is an SS Camaro:This is a 2003 Cobra Mustang (B's friend's car):

GT 500:

And last but most certainly not least, my favorite car of the evening (besides B's car), this is a '69 Mach 1 Mustang with a 428 Cobra Jet engine:

P.F. Chang's

2009-04-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

B and I absolutely LOVE chinese cuisine. And our favorite place to get our latest fix? Well, P.F. Chang's, of course! I'm working on having a little of each item on their menu, lol...

My favorite dish at Chang's is the Wok-Seared Lamb. Just typing those words made my mouth water! If you like lamb, then you are guaranteed to love this dish. They have numerous other dishes that will satisfy any palatte.

Here is a little sneak-peek of what we had the last time we dined:

The appetizer, crab rangoon:

B's "Asian StreetFare Noodles":

I got the Crispy Honey Shrimp:

One satisfied customer :P

The Waianae Mountains

2009-04-03T22:41:00.001-07:00

I loooooove the Waianae Mountains. I see them no matter where I go when Im driving around Oahu. I am constantly stopping to take pictures of them lol...can we say obsessed? Anyhoo...I just learned how to make a decent looking panaramic, so I decided to try my hand at making a
panaramic picture of these big beautiful green mountains that I hold so dear to my heart.

Also, I did a few of the boat harbor in Haleiwa. They're not the best, but, meh...I'm learning.

ChinaTown

2009-04-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

There is a place in Honolulu called "Chinatown" near the Aloha Tower Marketplace...and it is amazing and colorful. We went this afternoon to get the full experience. There is a small market called Maunakea Marketplace in Chinatown, and if you go upstairs there's this neat little museum, the Hawaiian Chinese Multicultural Museum & Archives, it's mainly just a glorified picture gallery; but I thought it was interesting. We learned alot from James G.Y. Ho, the founder and narrator of the little museum.

Here are a few pics of some of the street fare and architecture that you will find in Chinatown:

This is James G.Y. Ho, founder of the Hawaiian Chinese Multicultural Museum & Archives:

Kaena Point in Waianae

2009-03-23T23:39:00.000-07:00

B and I went to Ka'ena Point in Waianae to check out the view, we were feeling "touristy".

Brian is finally home!!!

2009-03-05T16:33:00.001-08:00

Ok, so I know he came home a week and a half ago...but hey, Ive been too busy to post! Here are a few pictures my sister took of the homecoming ceremony. And one picture I took of Brian wearing all of his leis :)

Dew on Flowers

2009-02-09T23:56:00.000-08:00

I think morning dew on plants is so neat...so when I got off of work this morning, I found these hibiscus flowers in my backyard. I thought they were photo worthy. What do you think?

Oops, I did it again....

2009-02-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well, looks like Ive failed miserably, once AGAIN, to stick to a new years resolution...that project of taking pictures every day went right out the window. I take pictures every single day...but I usually don't put them onto my computer for weeks. lol. So, instead of promising a picture every day Im just going to to what I've done since I started this blog..post random pics that I love whenever I feel like it!

With that said...here are some recent pictures I took that I LOVE LOVe LOve...

3.6.5: 2009 Days 3-6

2009-01-07T01:08:00.000-08:00

Day 6

Money folds! I've been learning how to make oragami money folds from my friend Sharon at work. The pants and shirt, the pants and shorts, and the rose are the ones Ive made myself! Woohoo go me!

Day 5

A bottle of ice cold beer....on the road to recovery already!

Day 4

Here is a close-up I took of my sneaker...yeah...still sick. Not able to move much so hey, give me a break!

Day 3

Here is a snapshot I took in my sims game ( I played alot while I was sick) This is a picture of the twins Kloe and Kane growing into teens, right before they blew out their candles *tear*

3.6.5: 2009 is on hold

2009-01-05T20:21:00.000-08:00

I have the flu, so my photo project is on hold until I can sit up for more than 30 minutes at a time :( I have been taking pictures, but I dont have much energy left to edit and post them. Also, my camera's flash is acting up so now I have to take it in when Im feeling human enough to go get it looked at.

Day 2 3.6.5: 2009

2009-01-02T21:13:00.000-08:00

Im feeling a little like death so today Im posting a simple picture. It's a close up of my badge I wear on my security uniform. Since I have to work tonight, sick-as-a-dog mind you, I figured it's appropriate for today's picture.

My first Picture for 3.6.5: 2009

2009-01-01T17:14:00.001-08:00

Here is the first picture for 2009, a "farewell" to the holidays.

3.6.5: A Photo Is Worth 1000 Words

2008-12-31T17:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I know this is not a new concept...taking a photo a day for an entire year. I got the idea from a blog I "stalk" which you can view here: http://www.girlmeetscamera.blogspot.com/. She is a photographer (and a very good one I might add) in Alabama, and last year she did a year in photos project that inspired me to do one myself.

I don't know if I will have the dedication, but there is only one way to find out. So, starting tomorrow, the first day of 2009, I am starting my own year in photos. I'm hoping that 2009 will help me find new inspiration for my ever developing love of photography. Now don't get the wrong impression....Im not looking to become a professional photographer or anything like that. I just love (and have ALWAYS loved) being behind the camera. It's my way of sharing what inspires me with my family and friends.

Now we will just have to see how many days I will actually stick to my goal.

Some of the pictures I took of Heidi

2008-12-21T22:20:00.000-08:00

I figure I could share a couple of pictures I took for my sister. She wanted to do some nice photos for her boyfriend so we did a little photo session. I took the pictures, she did the editing. What do you think?

Christmas

2008-12-21T21:57:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while, most likely because I've converted to the lifestyle of a Hermit. Kidding! No really though, I feel like a hermit lately...not a huge fan of the Hawaii rainy season. Must.Stay.Indoors.

So, I figured I'll post some Christmas decoration pictures :)

The first one is our tree, the second is the fireplace with a "fire", the third is a bokeh of the tree (something I learned about through the ladies at HMW), the fourth is candy canes (yum!), and the last is the stockings over the "fire"

Mele Kalikimaka Everyone!

WWE in Iraq

2008-12-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

Brian sent me a few pictures of him with some of the wrestlers who went to visit the guys in Iraq. These were my favorite :)

Mirror Mirror on the wall...

2008-12-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

Tee Hee....If this doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will!!

Green with envy...

2008-11-20T00:24:00.000-08:00

Green was once upon a time my favorite color. Until that pesky Red came into the picture. But I still have and always will have a love for green.

Today I feel like paying homage to my former favorite

Buildings

2008-11-19T04:32:00.000-08:00

For your viewing pleasure :)

A church in Haleiwa:
A burned down bldg near north shore:

A church in Laie:

A church in Haleiwa:

A midweek beach adventure

2008-11-15T01:04:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since my last blog, which wasn't really a blog...more like a couple of pictures. And it looks like this blog will be more or less the same. But you know you love my pictures, so without further adeu...these are a few pictures I took at Waianae Army Recreation Center. Beautiful beach.

Oh, and by the way, we are down to under 100 days before Brian comes home from Iraq! This has been a very long 15 months, and Im glad it's coming to an end :)

The last picture is Heidi. I could see the ocean in her shades...thought it would be a cool pic :)

A photo of a building downtown

2008-10-12T13:48:00.000-07:00

I was going to make this one full-on black and white, but I left some blue tint in the sky.

I love the holidays

2008-10-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

And my favorite part of the holidays is the decorating...

Now if I can just get motivated in the kitchen..

Happy Birthday to my PawPaw

2008-09-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite people in this world. Well, actually, it's safe to say that he IS my favorite person in the world! My PawPaw. He turned the big 8-0! I wish I could be with him to celebrate today, but this damn pacific ocean keeps getting in my way!!!

But since I can't go hang out with him and pig out on cake, I decided to write a little blog about him on his special day.

Some of my fondest memories of him were when he let me tag along with him to his classroom and laboratory at the university where he taught classes. I remember the smell of formaldehyde as I walked around looking at all of his fascinating creatures he had frozen. He would tell me the names of all the different species of insects he had in his office.

Another fond memory was when him, my MawMaw and myself would have long, drawnout, heated games of Scrabble! He would use all of these long, extravagent and foreign words and beat us every time. But MawMaw and I wised up and got the official scrabble dictionary so he wouldnt have these unfair advantages over us!

I think my favorite memory of my PawPaw was when I would stay with them in the summers, and he would come wake me up about 4:30 in the morning on Saturdays to go riding with him. We always went the same place: popeyes, to get a box of their mouthwatering blueberry biscuits. And then we would stop by the gas station , he would get a coffee and I would get a chocolate milk. The whole ride I would talk his head off about my trivial concerns of youth, and he would always listen. It was me and PawPaw time. I miss those drives.

Now, I'm older, I live so far away that Im rarely able to see any of my family at all. But what I would give to see my PawPaw again.....

I love you PawPaw, I hope you know that. Happy Birthday to you! And many, many more!

Twilight

2008-09-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Ok..so I know I'm probably the LAST person in the free world to have read this book. I know it came out a while ago...but hey, at least I finally jumped on the 'Twilight' band wagon!
I just finished the final chapter of this book a few nights ago. It took me about 2 work shifts to finish it. And let me tell ya.....it was soooo hard to put down! I felt like I was almost having an affair with Edward Cullen myself! HAHA kidding....I've got my "Edward" already :)
The book is a love story about a girl named Bella and a vampire named Edward. The writer weaves an intricate blanket of emotions tying the two star-crossed lovers together; exposing only Bella's emotions to the reader. Two lovers who, living completely different lives, try exhaustingly to be together.
I can't go any further into detail for fear that I might give the story away! This one is definitely a page turner, and I am thirsting for more....I just got my hands on the sequel, "New Moon", and I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Another HC original

2008-09-17T01:40:00.001-07:00

Here is a B&W I took of some tree branches at the beach on MCBH:

Steven Spieldberg's "Taken"

2008-09-13T01:48:00.001-07:00

"Taken" by Steven Spieldberg is a mini series about a couple of families who come into contact with creatures from the great beyond. It stretches over several generations, starting out in 1947, weaving a web of events that intertwine them together, even though they are miles and miles apart from each other.

I just watched the first part of the series last night, and I must say, I'm already hooked. It was hard not to pop in the next dvd to continue the journey with the characters. My favorite character, so far, is Jacob Clarke. He is the son of Sally Clarke and a visitor who happened to wander onto her farm one day.

If you're into sci-fi, or outerspace, or aliens, this is definitely a good pick for you! It was recommended to me by my dad Dennis, in fact he gave my husband and I this dvd set, which I thought was so sweet!

A moment of silence for 9/11

2008-09-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

Today is a solemn day in American history. Many innocent people lost their lives on this day seven years ago. Some became victims, some became villains; and many became heroes. Unfortunately, the number of victims from this tragic incident is still growing due to the casualties of war that was brought on by this day.

And yet America has forgotten. They have forgotten that we are a country still at war due to the events of this day. They have forgotten the soldiers and civilians who keep the fight off of our land and keep our freedoms in tact. The soldiers and civilians, though, have not forgotten you. They wake up every single day in Iraq, hearing explosions and gunfire, fighting off insurgents, helping the innocent people of Iraq reclaim their land. All before you reach for your morning cup of coffee.

Im not asking you to go strap on a pair of boots and a gun to fight the good fight. All I'm asking is that you remember. Give them, the victims and the heroes, a moment of silence today. And every day. And when you see a soldier or meet a civilian who has gone over there to serve, a simple "Thank You" will do.

Black and White

2008-09-11T03:26:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've really been into photography. My favorite pictures to look at seem to be black and white photos. So, I've decided to start adding my own B&W creations to my blog for all to see :)

Here is my first:

A samoan wedding

2008-09-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Heidi was invited to a traditional samoan wedding ceremony on the sunday before Labor Day. She didn't want to go alone so I went with her to keep her company. Shockingly the ceremony was much like any American wedding I've seen, minus the mats they kneeled on and the dresses the bridal party wore.

It couldn't have been a prettier day, though, and it was nice to see a couple vowing to each other and becoming one :)

My first blog....vacationing with my Brian

2008-08-23T05:06:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, my husband Brian is in the Army and is currently serving a second tour of duty in Iraq. This deployment is a 15-month mission, the last one he did was 14 months long so we are becoming veterans of long separations. He came home on July 31st for 18 days to enjoy a little time out of the "sandbox". This is what we did:

Yeah, that's right. We bought a car! But not just any car folks, oh no no, we got ourselves a 2003 torch red SVT Cobra Mustang convertible. Wipe the drool from your mouth. No, to the left a little, wait, a little further down...there you got it. Nobody likes a drooling fool. ANYWHOO...we had to go to Maui to get this beauty, so we decided to stay a week :) So for your viewing pleasure, a few pictures of the beautiful island of Maui:

Brian will be back early 2009...when he gets back we are going to the island of Kauai. Stay tuned for those pictures. Who knows...maybe we will come back with another car :P

To Blog...or not To Blog. Is that a question?

2008-08-23T04:42:00.000-07:00

Blogging seems to be a fast growing trend nowadays. I held out on this fad for as long as I could. As life gets busier, and time trudges along, I am finding myself in need of an easily accesible window into my life for family and friends. It's not that I don't adore those marathon phone calls of catching up 6 months of events with loved ones, but life is certainly commanding more and more of my time and attention these days. So here I am, jumping on this bloggers "bandwagon", we shall see how long the ride lasts :)