Currents

Time: 6:30am

Location: coaster train to san diego, again with the work commute

Eating: had saimin for breakfast, I am so NOT a breakfast person, it's like any other meal to me

Drinking: coffee with hazelnut cream

Watching: catching up on Duets and So You Think You Can Dance on DVR

Thinking: hope this week's easier than last, it was busy and stressful

Wanting: to have some downtown for reading, but not complaining about all the social activity ... it's been fun!

Needing: to get the kids ready for school, time to take the uniforms out of storage to make sure they still fit

Wondering: who I'll get to hang with in Hawaii, need to reach out and catch up with some old friends

Loving: my hubby ... grateful for our partnership ... he helps make life easier. Found this cool necklace on etsy and the sample had our initials ... cool.


currents idea from here

Prompt 14-What roles do you play?

This prompt asked the question what roles do you play. Here are the first ones that came to mind. I am so grateful that life is really full right now. I will continue to strive for balance between being the loving family me, the hard working career me, the supportive community service me and the fun loving social me. This is how I role. 

Challenge idea came from here.

Prompt 7-Happiness ...

... is living life to the fullest. And what a life I've been blessed to live. Filled with ups and downs, adventures and simple everyday routines life has made me who I am today and every place I've been and every experience I've had remains a part of me.

By far the biggest influence is summertime all year long, aka life in da islands. The carefree attitude of living local style by the beach in Hawaii brings me happiness. I feel most content when I'm just hanging out in summer clothes, with summer weather and long summer days. One day we shall meet again ... I can't stay away forever!

Growing up with a seamstress mom, I am very happy being crafty. I love to sew, to scrapbook and to make things pretty. I remember recycling junk into "art" in elementary school for GATE, sewing classes all through high school, decorating my teeny tiny apartments during college and beyond years and discovering scrapbooking with motherhood. Happiness is creating absolutely anything.

Happiness is shopping ... actually traveling and shopping. I'm not fond of just shopping itself but to explore a new city with its many boutiques? Happy, happy, joy, joy! Memories of Japan (cuteness), Paris (sophistication), Venice (artsy), Chicago (food) and New York City (everything) are memories of shopping and citified adventures.

And I'm pretty happy in a bakery. Not for the sweets but oh for the crusty breads. My year in Paris was often spent buying a baguette in the morning and then carrying it around in my bag all day long. Those were the best (most simple) sandwiches. Now, I usually rate a good restaurant by its bread. Give me sourdough crusty french bread any day ... with some brie and I'm extremely happy.

Happiness is so many things ... these are just a few of mine. And to illustrate, one of my blog finds, Inslee Haynes. She does these wonderful fashion illustrations by watercolor. Pretty and happy!!!

What does happiness mean to you?

Challenge idea came from here.

Prompt 4-Journal it!

Prompt 4 was to go outside, sit and relax and journal whatever comes to mind. Well this week everywhere we turn it's red white and blue. Makes me think of what freedom means to me ... and since I'm a list maker, journaling in the form of a list.

1. Being american is freedom to live a life of opportunity. Right after college I had the chance to visit Vietnam and meet some distant cousins and family friends. At that time in my life I had my whole life ahead of me, climbing the corporate ladder and becoming "successful". They had nothing. Jobs were hard to get and a young woman could only look forward to finding a man to take care of her. I will never forget that moment when I knew how lucky I was to have opportunity. I can live my life anyway I choose.

2. I'm grateful to have the freedom to live a full life. Whether it's my parents for my good genes and my upbringing or my life experiences for shaping me or all the mentors that have shown me the way. I have a career and a good home life with the freedom to decide what that work life balance looks like for me.

3. I can honestly say I am free in love. Gone is the girl who loves to get loved back, the codedependent, the insecure. I'm free in my heart to love unconditionally. But what a bonus when the love I get back is also unconditional.

4. Free to raise my kids anyway I want. Believe me I don't want to do it alone but free to make both right and wrong choices with wisdom from others is a freedom I treasure. I think each child is different and I'm grateful for the freedom to change as I go.

5. I so love my freedom to choose my own beliefs. I was raised Buddhist, married a Catholic, discovered Christianity and am now helping my kids formulate their own set of beliefs. We need the structure of organized religion to help us find our way in life but having the freedom to see other views is a blessing too. Afterall, we're all trying to find our way.

Freedom is so many things that without it, life would be hard. As we celebrate freedom on this 4th of July, lets think about how that one word has so much impact on all the parts of our life.

Challenge idea came from here.

Prompt 3-Name Acrostic

Prompt 3 was to use your name as an acrostic to tell a bit about yourself ... okay go!

Cheerful is the glass half full side of me. Always trying to stay positive and make light of negative situations.

Careful is what I am with my emotions. Maybe the years of emotional turmoil has turned me into the other extreme ... too scared to let go so really careful all the time.

Open minded-love new experiences, new places, trying something new. Teaching the kids to accept the diversity of the world we live in.

Overachiever is a bad thing. I work too hard on the job and in life. Set your sights too high and the only way to go is down. Disappointment and frustration prevails. People tell me I'm too hard on myself, when will I learn to let go?

N equals nice. Funny quote I saw the other day ... she's nice once you get to know her really means she's a bitch if you don't. Hmmmmmm. No comment.

N is for neat freak. Okay so I hate clutter!

N is also for noodle lover. Kaila helped me pick this one out. Mom, you always say how you could eat noodle dishes forever. Bring it on pasta, pho, udon, ramen, pad thai!

I is imaginative. I like being creative and thinking anything's possible.

I is also insensitive. The practical can-do overachiever in me is going too fast to stop and CARE. I also think that my defense mechanism of not crying too much over spilled milk makes me think the whole world should just suck it up. But that's not reality and that's insensitive. Need to stop and notice and care cuz that's really the nice thing to do. Plus I stand to gain by truly connecting with people, isn't that what life's all about?

We're now at E for eclectic. I really love so many different things. Modern, country, classic, vintage, crafty, beachy ... and worldly. Want to travel all over and discover even more eclecticism (is that a word?).

And finally, E is for emotional. Despite some of the prior descriptors above, inside I 'm still pretty emotional. I pretend to not be so I can be strong ... funny how some of our past experiences shape who we are. Being strong means not risking being hurt. But is that true reality? Life will hurt and life will bring joy, gotta have one with the other.


Challenge idea came from here.

Prompt 2-Create Goals

Prompt 2 was to create 3-5 tangible goals for this journal challenge. I recently picked up a book called Loving What Is by Byron Katie. At first I thought it was about simplicity and learning to live with less and just loving what is. Boy was I wrong! It's a psychology book about accepting true reality and reprogramming our thoughts to find peace with it. Funny how God puts things in our path just when needed ... I've been thinking lately about my frustrations and trying to figure out what to do about it.

Now I'm looking forward to journaling, discovering what my limiting thoughts are, rediscovering true reality and accepting IT rather than seeking acceptance from others. Living with "shoulds" for myself or imposing my "shoulds" on how others behave is only hurting me. This is a good sign from God and I am grateful.


Challenge idea came from here.

The 30 Day Journal Challenge

I'm a little late to the gate but this seems like fun ... quick way to scrapbook since summer seems too busy with the kids to really get out all my stuff.

Challenge idea came from here. Anyone care to join me?

Summertime is pooltime!

My oldest started her love of water as a baby just a few months old ... following daddy to the beach for surf.



Kainani has to love water because her name means "beautiful ocean".



And Lena loves to follow her sisters everywhere ... but she's still learning to love it as she learns to swim.



A few weekends ago we kicked off summer with time at the pool with our friends over. Lena and her friend Neveah spent fun times together this year as Daisies. More play dates to come for sure.



Nani spent as much time as possible with Sammy before she moved away to Colorado.



And Ally is the sister they've always had ... she lives next door and Nani's always saying "I see Ally 7 days a week mom!"



All smiles as the weather was perfect and there was so much fun to be had playing games and splashing around.



First was a race to get caught by the person who's it. Kaila gets ready to jump in and chase the others before they reach the other side of the pool.



Go get 'em Kaila!!!



Ally makes it to the other side and splashes water in a "you can't catch me" fashion. Haha.



Then it was time for chicken fighting. Really funny to watch the bigger girls being held up by the smaller girls. Good thing water makes you weigh less. LOL.



I'm gonna get you Kaila!!!



And then the winners rejoice! What was the best was how well these girls all got along and played so well together. They were so loving and it was so sweet.



Bye for now ... but not for long as we make our way back to the pool again and again at least several times a week. Hope you are all enjoying your summer too!!!

Currents

Time: 7:18am

Location: coaster train to san diego

Eating: it's a chilly pho day

Drinking: monster cuz I missed my train and now need a kickstart

Watching: the ocean and our june gloom, where are you Mr. Sun?

Thinking: it's only tuesday?

Wanting: to try out a couple of recipes from pinterest for the 4th

Needing: to catch up at work, years into Getting Things Done and I'm doing my weekly review regularly

Wondering: how long will my baby niece last at Grandma Boot Camp? 2nd day and no accidents! Nani girl is the sweetest with her ... she's definitely the most caring in our family.

Loving: life, family, friends, even work!

currents idea from here

Currents ...

Time: 6:58 am
Location: morning commute
Eating: looking forward to family dinner for dad's birthday today ... steak and shrimp at Benihana's
Drinking: dare I say a Monster day
Watching: actually reading this week ... One Day by David Nicholls
Thinking: people's true colors always show through when you stop to listen
Wanting: to pay LESS attention to complaints about inadequacies, be grateful for what you've been given
Needing: to pay MORE attention to those that are living meaningful lives the best they can
Wondering: what will happen that will stay in Vegas this weekend?!?
Loving: cliche to say but family is everything, near and far, immediate and extended

currents idea from here

The Year 2006

It seems so long ago to think about my oldest just starting Kindergarten. But this was the year 2006. Kaila was the first to start Girl Scouts ... unfortunately the troop disbanded after one year as Daisies because the leader moved away.

This was also a year of a fun Valentines double date .... actually I think it was more like 6 couples. Not the most romantic but memorable nevertheless as we all really enjoyed hanging out, the boys with their beers and the girls with their wines.

My baby was still really a baby and barely 1 this year. While ba ngoai was gardening during the summer, she splashed around a bit all by herself. These pics might be worth something when she grows up. Tee hee.

Summer meant picnics and carnivals. They all look so young here.

Every year for every birthday, we usually get a cake for the one being honored. This cake for Nani girl this year was from Grandma. :)

Our first and only time at Disney on Ice. Not sure why we haven't been interested in going to any others as I remember Nani really enjoyed this one.

2006 was also the year my brother got married. Here are the girls at the bachelorette party in Temecula Wine Country. 

It was so relaxing with spa treatments, so delicious with dining out and so much fun getting to know my sister in law's friends.

That year I had to make an unusual amount of business trips. But I wasn't complaining as it brought me to Chicago 3 times! Wonderful city and the perfect opportunity to reconnect with my friend Jackie. After 8 years of living in different states (we met in Hawaii), we picked up right where we left off. Chicago was memorable for the lake view, the giant bean, shopping H&M, pizza, tapas and sangria, the Bulls and so much more great dining experiences.

The best part about scrapbooking is remembering ... and I remember 2006 like it was just last year. Even though the years seem to speed on by, the memories will stay with us forever. What did you do in 2006?

Summer Frenz Layout

Our friends from Chicago came out to visit last summer and the kids had a great time together. They are close enough in age that they immediately bonded ... much like their moms who bonded years ago in Hawaii when chance put them together as coworkers.

Time spent at the house, time spent at the beach, time spent together ... we are pretty blessed to have good friends that despite the miles are so close at heart.

Used several edge punches here. Also took out the cuttlebug and made texture paper from scraps rather than tossing them out. Sometimes old school techniques are just as fun as new ones. My favorite part about this double page layout is the picture of Lena and Olivia. They are so sweet!!!

Seaside Layout

We are pretty lucky to live in such a beautiful place. These are good times with family at the Oside Pier. Sunset is the prettiest here even with the colder weather during the winter months and the fog during May Gray and June Gloom.

We sometimes will head out all the way to the end of the pier for lunch or dinner at Ruby's Diner. While we wait for our table, we check out the fishermen and the sunset and the city view ... trying to find all our familiar spots in our little city.

In this double page layout I actually scrapped a picture with me in it. As the kids get older, they are learning to take over the camera and snap a few of me. I think I have junior photographers on my hands and it's pretty funny when the DSLR is bigger than their face as they peer into it. LOL

My favorite here is the pom pom fringe. I also got to use my edge punch, the ripped notebook paper one, and I saw the folding over technique somewhere in blogland. It's fun to see that this paper is double sided. Also fun is the glitter brad. Bling is a good thing. :)

Take Twelve March-Luck

Take Twelve for this month was about luck.
I am so lucky to have this life.

My wedding ring symbolizes a wonderful marriage.I am lucky to have found a wonderful man, a caring father and a supportive life partner. I am not just lucky but so blessed to have my 3 children, Kaila, Kainani and Kaiolena. They are my everything. Family and friends are more than just words displayed in our kitchen ... they are a huge part of our lives ... they are our cousins and our neighbors. 

I am lucky to have technology. After discovering Apple products we are grateful to own ipods, iphones, ipads and imacs. My wine glass rack on our bar stands for the joy of downtime ... wine. The side door we use to enter reminds us to keep the spirit of aloha alive in our home. Displayed in our home is a globe of the world. In this house, we know we are lucky to have the life we have so we are open minded to learn about other cultures and those less fortunate than us.

Being from Hawaii, we believe in aloha. We feel lucky to know the beauty of the islands and it’s people, it is within us and keeps us grounded with its spirit. Love for one and for all. Love for our environment and for our life. Love for our God.

This is the luck and good fortune that make up our so called life. Symbols of it are all around us. Remember.

Currents

time: 7:07am
location: work, waiting for computer to load TGIF
eating: had Thai from George's Bistro yesterday. Miss working in Costa Mesa sometimes.
drinking: water ... dehydrated
watching: Got ABC Family app on iphone ... Switched at Birth, the Lying Game, Jane by Design
thinking: how some friends are for life, saw high school friends last night and we pick up right where we left off even after months
wanting: to open my mind to the heaven series at New Song Christian Church
needing: some raw foods, too much coffee and meat this week makes me feel bloated
wondering: if we're really going to get it together to do a vegas girls trip
loving: that the home is really "less" as I walk around trying to find things to get rid of at neighborhood garage sale this weekend

currents idea from here