stay-cation: fall break 2013

ahonui had fall break from school all last week until Monday.  we didn't wanna waste ahonui's free time with television, or sitting around the house.  noSIREEbob.  so brandon requested to use his vacation time during the entire week...and what the heck, i requested to be off for the last few days of the week too!

on monday he was invited to his cousin ava's bday party in kapolei.  he spent the entire day with cousins traveling the island, doing artsy crafts at the party (thanks aunty ange & uncle tane), then treated to the movies watching "cloudy with a chance of meatballs 2" (thanks to uncle marcus & aunty nue)!  love when his days are filled with brain improvement activities and social situations.

i had my prenatal appointment on wednesday when we were able to see baby on the ultrasound.  after we found out that baby is a boy, brandon & i wanted to celebrate and thought it was perfect timing for a date night!  my faaaavorite.  so we watched "gravity", ate at ninja sushi, and topped the day off with a trip to walmart.  because a peaceful, kid-less, walmart excursion is a date in itself.  you can't deny it.

what would date night be without a little sushi?  yummm-errrrrr.

thursday was my first day off for the week.  brandon had been wanting to take the kids to try a different hike on the island (we've taken them up through the laie mountains several times already).  so we asked my brother & sister-in-law for directions on some of the trails that they've been on.  they tipped us off on a nearby, kid-friendly, short hike, with a river at the end to cool off at in kahana valley.  since i'm sure they didn't wanna spend the week sitting around either, they joined us!  we ended up with 15 kids and 6 adults total going on the hike.  the more, the merrier was definitely the case here, because we had a ton of fun together!

a rare SMILE from the girl!

by the time we got home and cleaned up, we needed a power nap (okay - maybe just me).  and then decided to take the kids to brandon's stomping grounds - PCC night show!  lol.  usually when i take the kids, nahe somehow all of a sudden gets ants in her pants and won't sit still.  this time though, she seemed mesmerized with the music & dancing and we were all able to enjoy the show together.  aaaaaah....

waiting to get seated for night show with cousin, jaden.

 

friday morning we got up bright and early to be a part of a historical event for the community...Hawaii's famous double-hulled polynesian canoe, the hōkūleʻa, stopped at hukilau bay for a welcoming ceremony.  this was the first time ever that the hōkūleʻa ever came to laie, so it was kind of a big deal - and i wanted to make sure that our kids were there to witness the special event.

tons of people showed up that morning to see the hōkūleʻa's arrival.  and even though it arrived several hours later than expected, we were lucky to have had some family that were there a lot earlier with a little tent set up - because thick rainclouds brought a lot of wind and rain during the wait.  the kids didn't seem to mind a whole lot...since they got themselves drenched anyway by running into the beach.  *note: it is unreasonable to take a child to the beach expecting them to not get soaked.  whether they are dressed for swimming or not, it is inevitable that they will get wet.

  

 

after the hōkūleʻa welcoming, we showered up and were starrrvation!  so we headed down to byuh for the local farmer's market for lunch and treated the kids to a few ice cream cones from the seasider.

our last day of the stay-cation...all day beach day!!  brandon's entire immediate family (it's a big one - but i like it) planned a beach day at kakela's (now called kokololio beach park).  so we had lots of food, family, and fun!  i feel that relaxing days such as these, spent with family at the beach under a tent with lots of good grinds are what make living in hawaii so worth it.  i really think that this was the perfect way to end the week.  family + swim + eat + play + sleep + repeat = happiness.

who says you need to spend a bunch of cash or leave our little rock for a whole lotta fun?  not i.  and this week was proof of that.

getting serious on healthy: week ten

time to kick it up a notch...

 

while i've definitely improved in living a healthier lifestyle, i haven't exactly been very serious or too strict on my diet & exercise.

 

for the most part, i still rise early to get on the bike path (but don't judge me if i had a late night and couldn't wake up til 7:30am!) for a jog, and i'm well aware of what i put into my body and when it needs to be put in.

 

my view during my morning run...i love this place.

 

smoothie of the day: acai, banana, strawberries & almond milk.  and a little monchichi eagerly awaiting a sip.

i'm proud of myself to a certain degree.  because although the numbers on the scale aren't really going down a whole lot, my clothes are fitting better, i feel stronger, my endurance level has increased, and overall - i feel so much better about myself.  and that's really what self-improvement is about, right??

 



 

when i began trying to get into shape ten weeks ago, it was mostly because i didn't like what i saw in the mirror.  i didn't want to be that person.  and i really didn't want to end up being 50 years old suffering with diabetes, obesity, heart disease, kidney failure...the list goes on.

 

so now that some time has gone by, i think that mentally I've reached a point where i know that i can stick with this lifestyle.  i don't want to stop being active.  i still look forward to getting outside and sweating!  i honestly feel like I've progressed enough to know that i could probably handle pushing myself a little harder.  basically - it is time for a real goal to be set into place.

 

what is the goal, you might ask?  i don't know yet!!  i'm contemplating something along the lines of the great aloha run, or a mini-marathon (let's not get crazy with a real, full-on marathon - i'm not THERE yet.  haha), a muscle-building/fat-shredding program, or even an obstacle course race through the mountains/jungle.  brandon has actually already signed up and registered for the Spartan Race that takes place in august.  i was thinking that by next year (no, not in 3 months, thank you) i would like to be ready for that type of challenge.  it would definitely be an awesome goal to work towards, to not panty myself out of, and to be proud to say that i did it.

 

i'll get back to y'all on a confirmed goal sometime soon.  meanwhile, i'm pleased to say that i'm following through and will continue with my current resolutions.  and i haven't felt this good about myself in a long time.

if this pic collage is confusing to you - that's because it's meant to not make much sense. =)  in the space of a few squares, this sums up my jogs on the bike path: sore feet, beautiful nature, and bumpin' jams on my iphone.

maui no ka ʻoiiiiii!!!

last weekend we traveled to the garden isle of maui...the bad news: it was for a family member's funeral.  the good news is that we were able to enjoy some serious quality family time!  we took a few days off from work and ahonui took a few days off from school (he was sooo bummed about it - NOT) for the short trip.

since we went for a funeral, it wasn't planned at all and so everything we had to get done (flights, hotel, car rental) was sort of last minute.  the week before, we had just gotten approved to be off of work and decided that we would all go together as a family.  we grabbed that opportunity to be away for a bit and ran with it!  because it's not very often that we get to travel and experience new things away from our little rock.

I knew that there was no way our family could make it to HNL in the morning, so I booked a flight at noon...maximizing our time in maui - yet not waking up at 4am to attempt a 7am flight.  no sireee, not for us.  we woke up on Friday morning ready and stoked for our 4 day trip!!

we made it to the airport and our gate an hour before our flight departed...luckily, inter-island flights are easier to manage.  the kids were very well behaved, excited, and didn't seem phased with the airplane ride - of course the flight was only about 25 minutes long, but who's counting?  they were still little angels during those 25 minutes.  haha.  it seriously felt like as soon as we got on and up in the air - we were landing already.  deflated...

we stayed at the aston kaʻānapali shores hotel near lahaina.  I didn't know it at the time, but our room was actually more like a one-bedroom condo.  it had a bedroom, living room, kitchen and dining area!  I loved the kitchen because it was fully functional with plates, pots, utensils, appliances and errrfang!!  so after the flight, sorting out the car rental (free upgrade to a van!), figuring out directions, driving an hour to the hotel, checking in (free upgrade to an ocean view!  mmm-hmm, i'm just sweet like that, so peeps be hookin' me uuuup.  free of charge.  lol!), and getting settled into our room, we went to the local grocery store - across the street - and bought a bunch of food so we wouldn't have to eat out for each meal.  i'm hoping we saved money this way because we ended up spending $118 for really only about THREE days worth of meals.  I was pretty shocked because we didn't get a whole lot of food, but I guess that's the price you pay for staying in a resort-type town.  happy to say though, that aside from the mayo and honey condiments - we ate and drank EVERYTHING we bought!  plus more...heehee!

after we had a bite to eat on our first day there, we noticed that the sun was already going down.  so we all went down to the beach to watch the sunset.  and OMG - it was seriously one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever witnessed.  I recall nice sunsets on Oahu every now and then, Utah had some pretty ones...but this one - absolutely breathtaking.  even when I was younger and we went to maui for vacation, I remember watching some memorable sunsets during those trips.  I think and I'm hoping that this will be a memorable moment for my children too.  it was just a beautiful and natural way to enjoy time together with each other.

Saturday was spent entirely with the kahaialii family.  the funeral was for one of Brandon's cousins.  in the morning we went to the viewing, and the services started in the afternoon.  after that, there was the procession of cars which traveled down front street of lahaina (kind of like Waikīkī, but more old town, classic Hawaii). then the burial.  it's always sad saying goodbye to someone, especially when they leave behind children.  thankfully though, we can take comfort in the plan of salvation and the knowledge that we'll see those that have passed again someday.  after the burial we went to the beach for some grindz with the entire kahaialii crew.  ahonui and nahe had a blast swimming and running around freely with their cousins.

the view outside the chapel from the funeral services...purrrrty!

nahe wouldn't sit still during the services, so
I took her outside to let her wiggles free.

the next day was wide open with no plans after church.  so we seized the opportunity and traveled to the maui ocean center in Wailuku.  I loved seeing the kids' expressions watching tiger sharks, sting rays, seahorses, and even little bitty fishes doing their thang in the aquarium tanks.  the ocean center is awesome with a floor to ceiling glass wall allowing you to sit and watch all the marine life swim around.  it also has a see-through tunnel that you can walk through and feel like you're in the water with the fishes.  so cool!

after that we spontaneously decided to drive up to the Haleakalā volcanic crater.  this drive took forEVERRR but it was so beautiful.  only Brandon and ahonui went outside and walked around because, well, nahe had a little accident during the long drive.  and I wasn't prepared to let our two-year-old walk around in the chilly high-altitude air in wet clothes.  but we still had a good time!  can't let a little urine bring you down!  =)

after the long drive back to kaʻānapali, I was so tired.  but the kids weren't done yet.  they begged us the entire day to go swimming in the pool...and what's a vacay without swimming in the hotel pool?  so we got them all changed into their swim gear and down to the pool we went.  neither of them can swim yet, so we had to supervise them the entire time.  which is no biggie, i'm thinking that in a few years or so they'll be able to swim and won't want to hang around mommy & daddy in the pool anymore.  i'll be longing for times like these...so both Brandon & I savored these precious moments alone with our babies.

after the pool and baths for everyone, we were famished.  so I asked Brandon where he wanted to eat for dinner (yiip, all of our groceries were gone already)...he said he didn't know.  so i suggested a good place that was just down the road from the hotel...you know, just your everyday steak & seafood place.  so the hubby agreed.  little did he know that Roy's was a little more than the "everyday" type eatery.  i tricked him!  hehehe.  my justification?  honestly how often would we be eating at a place like this?  and when are we ever this CLOSE to Roy's without annoying traffic and confusing directions to get there?  and hellooooo, we're on VACATION!  right?  rooooiiight.

 

but then just a few bites into the crab cake and spicy tuna roll appetizers, he was a happy camper.  those grindz are NO JOKE!  delicious, satisfying, and wonderful dinner experience overall.  i would definitely go back to Roy's - if only the restaurant here wasn't so far away and tucked deep into the depths of city traffic.  yuck.  one day...one day.  nahe fell asleep at the dinner table.  so you knooooow it was really ʻono!!

when we got back to the hotel -  i knocked OUUUT.  and apparently ignored the fact that our 9am return flight meant that we needed to be ready and check-out of the hotel by 6:15am.  so this amazing dude down there washed our dirty laundry, folded, and packed everything up for everybody.  he got everything ready so all we had to do was eat breakfast, brush teeth, and get dressed the next morning.  yup, he's a keeper.

a hui hou, e Maui!

and that was the end of our 4 day adventure.  i think i need another one...like now.

week two into healthy

i gotta say that i'm kinda proud of myself.  it's true that in the past that i've not done so well in sticking to a diet and exercise plan.  i've tried it here and even here...and i still somehow find myself back to square one.  it's been quite discouraging, to say the least.

this time around though, i feel like it's different.  i'm not sure why.  there hasn't exactly been an "a-ha!" moment of clarity.  it's not like i've had anyone tell me (lately) that i look pregnant when i'm not...no getting kicked off an airplane because i take up two seats...nothing like that.  i think i'm just tired of NOT being better than i know i can be.

so each morning i'm waking up by 5:45 to be out the door and on the bike path by 6am. 





it's gotten a lot easier to not allow myself to sleep in.  i'm so very impressed with my body clock these days.  but even if I don't wake up on time, then i'll do my jog at night.  i used to think that i could do a workout in the afternoon, say - after I get off work - but the 80 degree mid-day weather quickly snaps me back to reality and laughs in my face.  so i'm sticking to my morning workouts and actually enjoying it - and looking forward to it!  that's never EVER happened to me before...ever.  in my life.

 

during my freshman year in high school, we had to run 3 miles every other day for PE.  it was pure torture.  any of my classmates could attest to the fact that i was the slowest, laziest, yet skinniest girl out on the track.  humiliating fact: instead of running a 15k with all the other freshmen at the end of the year, an exception was made on my behalf so that i was assigned to only run a 10k with the overweight, obese, and apparently extremely slow 9th graders.  there was like 6 other kids with me.  mmm hmmm.  that's how much i hated running.

 

now that i'm older and of course so much wiser, i know that my metabolism is only going to get slower and it'll be so much harder to rid my body of it's excess weight later.  i'm now sucking it up when i feel side pain, i push forward when i feel like i'm gonna faint, and i tell myself, "...you can make it to that next telephone pole".  and with each triumph, the resulting rush makes me feel like i can do hard things.

 

each morning i'm blessed with views of a pristine ranch on one side, and a golden sunrise over the ocean on the other.  it makes my workout that much more worthwhile.  i love that i'm finally making time to enjoy living in hawaii (and laie, for that matter) now...because who knows how much longer we may be here.  you just never know...

i'm also being more careful in what i eat in order to aid my weight loss efforts.  but when i get to grind meals such as salmon with spinach, i really don't feel deprived of any yummy goodness.  after my morning workouts i pack my lunch and some healthy snacks to take to work, so i'm less tempted to buy something evil from the not-so-fresh seasider snackbar.

it's only been two weeks and although I've only lost about 5 pounds so far, i feel like i'm making a change in a healthy direction.  and i really hope this change will stick and positively affect the rest of my life.

easter 2013

this year we tried to teach the kids of the true meaning of Easter. and while ahonui seemed to hold on to what was taught a little more than nahe, they were both still very eager to get out into the backyard to hunt for eggs.  hmmm...another reminder that a six-year old's attention span is so very short.

lucky for them, they had two egg-hunting opportunities! on Saturday we went to kahuku to play games, have an Easter lesson, indulge in corn chowder, and spend time with my in-laws. oh right, and how could I forget that they always get spoiled with a hefty basket full of goodies from grandmas & grandpas on both sides. I think we're set with a candy stash for the next few months.

then on Sunday, we traveled down the road to marcus & nue's house for another Easter party.  the potluck dinner was so delicious, abundant, and varied that i'm pretty sure i gained back all the weight that i worked so hard to get off these past few weeks.  arrrrggggh.  i loooooathe myself.

but then in order to hide the eggs throughout the front and back yards, the mommies took all 16 children, between the ages of one and thirteen, out for a long walk...over and through the humongous cricket field, stopping for a tug-o-war competition, then out past the graveyard and back to the house.  not the easiest task when you've just scarfed down what felt like an entire cow.  let's just hope that some of those extra calories consumed were efficiently burned into an oblivion.

by the time we got back to the house and the easter bunny had finished it's business, the kids couldn't wait to be let loose into the bowels of the egg-filled yard.

this time with cousins, aunties, uncles, and grandparents are certainly priceless.  and although the weekend went by in a blur, our easter family fun time sure filled our social, physical, and spiritual cups and readied us for the week!

grateful for hidden trails

it's not always easy for me to wake up by 6am every morning.  and it's really not easy to wake up by 6am when you go to bed at 1am the night before.  some things are just weird like that.

monday was one of those weird days.  i basically woke up just in time to get ready to go to work.  but since brandon didn't have to work that day, we decided to workout together when i got off of work...got it?  me work, brandon no work, so workout, after work.  whew!!  now that all that work confusion is out of the way...

today's thankful thursday is for the beauteous hiking opportunities right in our backyard...

instead of jogging down the boring same 'ol road together, we decided to switch up our workout by taking advantage of the mountainous terrain - up to the laie water tank!  what could be more enjoyable than muddy paths and rancid sewer plants, combined with jello legs and sweat-drenched attire?  oh yeah, bebe.

intense poo-filled aromas aside, we had tons of fun.  i honestly think that being one with nature, away from buildings, cars, and people is probably the best avenue to de-stress and unwind.  it was also a great way to enjoy a FREE and HEALTHY date so brandon & i could connect and spend real quality time alone together.

a while back we also "tricked" the kids into hiking.  we were pretty proud parents that day.

 

usually we plan on going to costco or walmart and stocking up for the week, but that saturday we had no such plans.  we actually didn't know what to do with ourselves that day, and sometimes you just can't stare at a screen (computer, phone, tv, even movie) any longer.  so we quickly packed a backpack with snacks and sandwiches and found shoes to put on the kids (yup, close-toed shoes....that never happens.).  then off we trekked to spend our day hiking up the laie falls trail.  surprisingly, the kids didn't complain once about walking for hours.  for all they knew, they were on a nature walk and exploring each step filled with rocks and bugs and wonder.

 

i'm grateful that i have opportunities such as these to enjoy being outside and away from the world.  i'm grateful that we have unblemished, year-round, safe trails so close to home that we can take advantage of.  i'm grateful that we have the option to save money and be active at the same time being outdoors in clean, fresh air.  and most of all i'm grateful to share these changes of scenery with my hubby and my children - and that they also enjoy it with me.

a forgotten gem

when i was a little girl, my brothers and i used to play in the huge empty field across the street from my house.  we'd create makeshift forts and hiding places (particularly for the times when my grandma would be looking for me to peel ten pounds of potatoes for dinner) in the tall, itchy california grass.  i look back at it now as somewhat of an escape...a childhood fortress away from the intense pressures of the complicated 9-year-old life.  (sorry, granny.  love you!)

i was told that the field used to be a junkyard and i vaguely recall piles of old, smashed-up, flattened cars that used to sit there.  those fugly cars have since been removed and it is now again a big, empty field with an asphalt-paved entrance to the malaekahana bike path.  and when it rains, the field transforms and it looks like we have the best view of our very own lake outside our window. 

i often forget about this convenient, neighboring field...a space to allow a safe running haven for my growing children, an endless exploring opportunity in the tadpoles and microscopic creatures lurking in the recently created lake (or swamp - depending on how your attitude glass is filled that day), a perfect kite-flying lot with no one else but us to witness our feeble kite flying skills, and a place to have a relaxing, family, sunday stroll.

 

it may be difficult for the kids to fully appreciate the possibilities of this field without the pile of rusty cars in the corner.  i think an easter croquet session should be in the works this year to instill in them a bit more familiarity with this field of possibilities for nature fun.  and then maybe now i'll know where they'll be hiding when i need someone to peel potatoes.

a rough start & a smoothie

on monday i began my healthy eating habits...no fast food, processed foods, and junk foods!  and then this morning i did a little jog on the bike path for the first time since january. 

i then finished up with a spinach, banana, pineapple, orange smoothie.  these babies are life changing.

it's not much yet, but it's definitely better than stuffing my face with $10 burgers from the new seven brothers burger joint down the road...because let me tell you, those burgers could be the death of me.

ANYWAY...

i'm really hoping that this will be something that i can stick to on a permanent basis.  i've found that in the past it's been too difficult for me to fit in anything "exercise-wise" after work because there's simply too much to do before my day is over...oh yeah, and before my narcoleptic tendencies kick in.

and while i didn't complete a full-on 5k run (more like full-on hanging the whole time), i got up and out there instead of staying bundled up in my warm, comfy bed.  so waking up only one hour earlier to work out is my "small, measurable goal" to help my overall, large health goal.  i think i'm doing pretty good for the first week...because every journey has to start somewhere.

triple D deliciousness

ever since food network aired their show, diners, drive-ins, and dives (also known as triple D), i've been eager to sample some of the goodies at these "must visit" locales.  i was pleasantly surprised to see that a few of their episodes included hot spots that were not more than 20 miles away from laie...yayerr!

so last week thursday, i went into waikiki for an appointment with my oral surgeon to follow up on the healing of my wisdom teeth gaps.  fun stuff, i know.  on the way there, i told brandon, "let's go check out the he'eia place for lunch." to which he didn't put up a fight.  "whatever harm wants..." is a typical reply from the hubby in regards to choosing where to eat.  so off to the he'eia kea pier general store & deli we went!

the view in itself was amazeballs...the food was definitely yummy.  the portion size, however...let's just say that it wasn't meant to fill a polynesian belly.  and although these places may not be everything that it's been advertised to be, i love checking out these hidden gems because it allows us to try something new & different, and hopefully finding a new favorite eatery.  note to self: next visit order five guava chicken burgers to satisfy the tummy.

we then had to run a few errands after my appointment, so by the time we were done, i had mustered up a fresh new appetite...aka - dinner!  so we stopped at fresh catch in kaneohe.  i wouldn't consider myself a poke expert, but i must say - this poke was da BOMB!!!!  not too sweet, not too spicy, nor too shoyu-y (that's right, i invented a new adjective)...but perfect.  and as you can see, the fresh ahi chunks were of great quality.  there a few things more frustrating than low grade pieces of fish soaked in a great poke sauce.  this place is an absolute keeper for the poke bowl cravings.

 

then on saturday, we headed all the way down yonders to the koko head shooting range for a few hours of fun/target practice.  and since koko head and waimanalo is way more than just a hop, skip, and jump away from laie, i decided that our proximity to sweet home waimanalo that day was my opportunity to seize some ono kine grindz.  and seize i did...

 

i appreciate that this rustic establishment uses fresh and local ingredients for their dishes.  apparently they grow much of their own fruits and vegetables on their farm for the salads and smoothies...way to support the local economy and provide sustainable means to support your business!  anyway, the food was delicious, staff was friendly, and the fact that i didn't feel "weighed-down" from a heavy lunch was even better.  the next time the hubby wants to enjoy a little target practice, i'll be targeting this place for sure.

 

a quick and easy way to find the entire list of triple D deliciousness on this little rock?  i found it for you here.  happy grinding!

growing community

i'm not sure how i feel about the expansion of my little town of laie.  i understand that it can economically benefit our locals, create independent long-term sustainability for the community, give my family more options on where to eat out, and possibly give me a home of my very own.  my employer, byuh, is currently working on a ten year expansion plan for the university, which includes new married and single student housing, as well as a new multi-purpose building, among other things.

the thing i struggle with is, why do i feel a sense of hesitation when all of this talk of change and growth is only supposed to improve my beloved hometown?  i love the fact that i can literally walk outside my front door and there before me lies a mile & a half bike path created solely for my own convenience, safety and health!

yeah, it's an old picture, but it's cute. and there's the bike path in the back.

and i love that i can drive 2 minutes away to get the best froyo EVER!

ono yo...onolicious!

or that we can now enjoy our own little burger joint that's open past 9pm...

seven brothers at the laie shopping center

so why am i skeptical when i'm told that homes will most likely be built to house my future family of ten? (hehe.)  i would love to bite on that dangling carrot...but i really don't want to get my hopes up.

also, i'm a pretty big fan of the small town feel of laie.  to be quite honest, it has already gotten a little too crowded for my taste.  i'm shocked that i often need to wait behind a car or two at a stop sign.  me no likey.  it's not that i'm giving in to my impatient tendencies here...but more along the lines of: "why-are-there-so-many-people-here-that-there's-enough-to-have-two-cars-in-front-of-me-at-a-stop-sign?!" kind of feeling.  with the continually increasing enrollment at byuh, we're only getting more students, more teachers, and more staff.  does this create a sense of job security for me?  not really.

i've completed the envision laie survey so that my opinion on the future of laie could be taken into consideration.  i (when able, sometimes) go to the community meetings.  but mine and my family's future in my favorite place in the world still seems uncertain.  even if i don't want things to change, even if i want my kids to be able to walk alone down the street and play at the park without worrying, it's out of my hands...change is already happening.  change is inevitable.  and all we can do is hope, give our two cents, and continue to work to ensure that these changes come out in our favor.

as luck would have it...

...the sun is out and brighter than ever, and the heat & humidity every day would officially label our weather as PERFECT beach days. but we have to work!!

i have a theory...that when the weekend swings around again in four days - the clouds will magically reappear in the sky and all of a sudden the wind will kick up out of nowhere.

perhaps i'm being saved from skin cancer. yes, that must be it.