Browse Category: holidays

Happy 30th, Dayantha!

IMG_4454.jpgOn Thursday, Rus, Jes, and I went to the Waikiki Aquarium. It’s such a cool place since most of their reef exhibits are lit by sunlight and not that artificial purple light. Rus had so much fun looking at the filter system and he kept saying to the fish, “You guys are so lucky.” He’s in the aquarium/fish industry now so he was sorta doing some research, making some contacts with the gift shop lady, and just having a good time.
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In the evening, we went to E & O Trading Co. for Derek and Elise’s rehearsal dinner. It was quite a production. All of their guests were invited; there was a hula dancer; everyone got “leid”; we all got party favors to take home; and the booze kept flowin’. After dinner was over, we stayed after to continue the drinking and at the stroke of midnight, we all welcomed Dayantha into the 30 club. Yep, our youngster is the Big 3-0 and we got him mighty liquored. In addition to the shots and numerous vodka tonics, we made a special request to the DJ and Dayantha was handed the mike for his rendition of “Ditty”. Good times…

Weekend Recap

On Saturday, I loafed around and managed to finish 5 loads of laundry between my four-hour nap and watching Good Eats. In the evening, Johnny came over and we went to Debbie’s 30th Birthday Party, which was a “Black and White Ball” with everyone dressed in all white or all black. They went all out with a bartender, poker tables, and chocolate fountain. Happy Birthday, Deb!
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On Sunday, the Brother and I had a day in the suburbs complete with a neighborhood jog, breakfast at Denny’s, shopping at Target, shopping at the grocery store, and making chili at home. Exciting, I know. Jes came home from Vegas and we spent the rest of the evening watching TV.
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Despite the lack of excitement and adventure, I’m feeling well rested with clean clothes to wear and 3-days worth of lunches ready to go!

Happy Daddy’s Day!

This is me and my daddy at the beach when I was about 2 years old.
This is me and my daddy almost 25 years later at my wedding.
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Can we say, “Daddy’s little girl”? Yep, that’s me. My daddy totally rocks and here’s why:
  • He grew up swimming with catfish in the river by this house.
  • He loves Elvis.
  • He’s generous and compassionate.
  • He built my first set of wooden blocks, desk, and chair.
  • He introduced me to photography and bought me my first camera at age 5.
  • He has the green thumb that I wish I had.
Here’s a little tribute to all the daddy’s around the world. Compliments of Nike.
Thanks for everything! Love ya!

Courtyard BBQ

For Memorial Day, we had a neighborhood BBQ in our courtyard. We’ve been meaning to do this for some time now and it’s taken almost 3 years to actually pull it off. We all know each other but this time we actually got to hang out in the sun and have some beers together. In fact, a new couple just moved in a few months ago and we finally got to meet face-to-face. One of them even happened to be a 1st grade teacher working in one of the elementary schools that we send students to for Kindergarten every year. It’s always nice to meet someone who actually knows what I do for a living. Instead of asking “What’s an occupational therapist?” She said, “You’re an OT? That’s great!” Anyway, Jes fired up some tasty carne asada, I made some guac, and our neighbors brought homemade chocolate chip cookies, and 7-layer dip. By the end of the BBQ, I had just enough energy to help put everything away and then crashed at 6:00 pm and didn’t actually get out of bed until this morning. All the sun/heat and a considerable amount of “fruit” really wiped me out. What great way to end a long four-day weekend.  Here are the photos.

Ditto

My brother posted an “Ode to Mommy” today on his blog and it’s so true. In celebration of Mother’s Day, we’re taking her out for some prime rib and creamed corn at Lawry’s! That seems to be her restaurant now. Turning another year older? Go to Lawry’s. It’s Mother’s Day? Go to Lawry’s! Mmm…I can’t wait. Thanks Mommy for all you do…and oh how I miss the Magical House.

For Jesse’s mom, we went in the other direction. Last night we celebrated Mother’s Day by inviting her over and cooking up a healthy salmon with a huge salad and veggies on the side. I think it’s great how healthy and active she is. While she’s telling all of us to not eat too much rice or feeding us steamed cabbage, she can gobble down an entire pecan pie at the drop of a hat. Her excuse? “I workout so I can eat whatever I want.” Good point. Props to you, Mom!

In conclusion, the lesson to be learned is that when I have children of my own, I will need to make sure there is equal time with both grandmas. Otherwise, my kid will either become a juicy rolly polly or a bean pole who doesn’t know what salt tastes like. As my father always says, “not too much and not too little”.

Hold on to what you have and embrace it.

I don’t get it. These past 6 months have been a little eerie.

Back in December, Marie travelled to NYC with her parents, 9-month old baby, and grandmother. On their flight home, her grandmother had a stroke. After a couple days in the hospital she recovered with a little bit of weakness on the left side of her body. Phew!

A couple weeks ago, I found out that my grandmother in Thailand had a stroke in her sleep and didn’t wake up the next morning. My dad and uncle dropped everything and flew a red-eye to Thailand. Fortunately, she woke up a few days later with her memory intact and no major complications. Yay!

Just yesterday, we find out that Jes’ grandma has cancer in her thyroid. So far, she’s had two surgeries to remove the malignant tumors and will start radiation treatment as soon as she regains her strength. She’s alert and already walking around but it’s going to be a tough road ahead for her and the family. *sigh*

All of a sudden mortality takes a front row seat in my life. It’s as if God needed to bonk me on the head real quick to help me realize that life is short and that we have to make the most of what we have NOW. This sure does put a little spin on Mother’s Day this year.