Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a sweet day for sweethearts but one thing I've always felt is that Valentine's Day should be a day to remember all of the people that we love in our lives. Every year I used to make Valentine's (this is the first year I missed in many years due to sending out save the dates instead) but the reason I sent them is that life is full of so many people that bring love and happiness to our lives, and I like to thank people for that. Of course, my number one Valentine is my love Roberto, and Coconut is my other valentine. But I think life is so wonderful because of all the people that make it so wonderful. So here's to all of my valentines, friends, family and people that bring a smile to my face all year round.

To do list

1. Write and submit restaurant review on Sushi Cafe to East Sac News - DONE!
2. Type up cover letter(s), post to Edjoin, apply for job postings in Monterey, and anywhere and everywhere else under the sun.
3. Start addressing Save the Date envelopes, begin mailing out.
4. Send out birthday cards to Alicia, Carrie, & Kacia.
5. Get off my butt and get some exercise!
6. Coco to dog park.
7. Hula at 6 pm.

Lotto dreams

Here is the photographer we really want for our wedding:

http://www.nicolefieldsphotography.com/blog

She's amazing but she's not cheap!

Wish we could win the lotto!

What AuntieTaught Me about Leis

My return to hula class was not disappointing. I was so happy to see Auntie Anuhea and Uncle Don. The hulau is in a new place that is not as big but more cozy. The old place was also a karate dojo studio and class times were conflicting. But the new place is just down the road from the old place and it is perfect for what the hulau needs. Anyway, we spent my first class back learning about leis. Auntie was explaining the significance of ti leaf leis. They are often given for good luck and protection. Often times Hawaiians will leave a ti leaf lei draped over the front and back doors of their houses for protection. Also, the lei maker infuses his or her mana or power into the lei that he or she is making the lei for, therefore, it is considered taboo to give away a lei that has been given to you. Another taboo is to let a lei languish, it should be hung up once it is done being worn. And leis are not supposed to be thrown away. They are meant to be thrown into the ocean once someone is finished with them. Different flowers in a lei all have different significances, and different leis are used for different occasions. I loved learning all of these things. I had no idea that leis had so much significance, and that they were considered so sacred, but I was really grateful to learn these things.
When we were done with the cultural segment of the class on leis, we practiced a couple of songs, the Hukilau, and Little Grass Shack. It was nice to be dancing again, and nice to be back.

We're getting married!!!

We just booked the site today. It is: www.raggedpointinn.com, and the date is July 17, 2010.
We're so excited! Cheers!

Why Keeping Dreams Alive is So Important

With Marcella, my hula sister, at our first performance, February 2007.

With Uncle Don at my first hula performance, February 2007.

I am returning to hula tonight and I am so happy about it. The reason I'm so happy is that I've been missing hula classes for the last year or so because of a combination of factors. I was too busy with school. I was wrapped up in my new relationship. Or I couldn't afford it. Or I had other plans on the weekends, and Saturdays used to be when classes were held. But putting off dreams or passions has a high price. Not going to hula last year made me feel like part of me was missing. It's such a big part of who I am. I love listening to Auntie Anuhea talk story with us, and speak pidgin to Uncle Don. I love how Uncle Don (who is in his seventies) still fumbles with the stereo when playing our hula songs, even though he's been working the same stereo for years. Then Auntie gets impatient with him, even though it happens every time. I love how we are an Ohana, a family, and I feel a part of a community, which is so often missing in modern day culture. I love the music, the Hawaiian language, and the dancing. All of is so meaningful to me and adds so much to my life and my happiness. Why is it that we so easily give up the things that make us the most happy? Especially when it's not hurting anyone else? It's so easy to put everything and everyone else first. I'm happy to do that sometimes. But I'm glad that I made the decision not to permanently give up one of the things I love to do most. To hula. Mahalo nui loa.

Snow Weekend

On Friday we drove up to the cabin that my family had rented in Tahoe Vista, and got there in no time. By the time we arrived my dad was making dinner and people were getting started with the vino too. As soon as we got there we announced our engagement, and toasted with some champagne with everyone! The rest of the nice included a nice dinner that my dad made, some Scrabble, and lots of wine! We were very happy to be there.
Saturday morning we woke up and Rob told me that he and my sister and brother-in-law were going skiing at Diamond Peak. I was on the fence: go snow shoeing with my dad, relax at the cabin with my stepmom and niece, or ski with Rob, Sam & Jorge? I couldn't make up my mind, but finally decided to go skiing because I am making an effort to have more fun and be more adventurous, even when I am afraid! Why would I be afraid of a day of skiing? Well, I hadn't skiied in 20 years or so, for one thing. For two, I am not much of a risk taker and afraid of heights and steep hills. And last but not least, I am not the most coordinated person to say the least, and I was imagining myself falling down, crashing into people, and smashing into trees....but none of that happened! Somehow, miraculously, I did great! Well, great for a beginner. It was almost like riding a bike. Even though it had been 20 years, I remembered how to ski like no time had passed at all. Rob and I took a break and drank some Heinekens and ate some lunch along with Sam & Jorge. We had a really good time.
Saturday night it was our turn to cook and Rob made his famous Pollo Arvejado. Everyone loved it. I was tired from skiing, so after dinner and some charades, I went to bed. But not Rob! He and Jorge were just getting started. After dinner they took a hot tub and got ready for the casinos, and were out at the casinos drinking, gambling, and listening to some blues until 3 am.
On Sunday I wanted to go snowshoeing but Rob was tuckered out after his never-ending Saturday night, so we just relaxed, hung out with family, and watched movies. In the end I'm glad we got that day at the cabin because we got to spend some real quality time with my adorable little niece, Maya, who I don't get to see often enough! She's 10 1/2 months old, and I hadn't spent much time with her since Summer since school was so intense during the Fall semester. So playing with Maya was great, and also it really started to snow on Saturday! It was beautiful. Honestly, it's been years since I've been in the snow. And forever since I was in the snow and actually got to watch the snow falling. It was really lovely. I caught a glimpse of Rob and he was staring so intently out the window at the snow, so enchanted. I know he'd really love to live there. Maybe at some point we will. After the movies we took a nice walk with my dad and sisters. It was nice to get outside since there were a lot of us in a little cabin we were getting a little bit of cabin fever. After dinner and another movie, everyone went to bed. Everyone was tired early.
This morning Rob made breakfast and we had to rush to get out of the cabin, because the snowstorm was quickly getting worse, and we wanted to cross Donner Pass before it got too bad. It still took 4 or 5 hours to drive a distance that shouldn't have taken more than 2 hours, but in the end we're just happy to be home safe and sound. I'd forgotten how magical falling snow was, and how much fun it was to ski. I'm grateful for these rich experiences. It's not the years in the life, but the life in the years, right?