My Final Night in Hawaii

I don't believe it's my final night in Hawaii. This is a little surreal. How time passed!

I have to say, I am a really lucky girl. I have the greatest bunch of friends who have been with me all these years and it's really sweet that they want to spend every minute i have left here with me. Some even offered to help me pack or keep me company and not let me sleep till the next morning when I fly off.

I love you guys!!!

-

Su-lynn and Denesia, Hanging out in mini with Jen and SuGim

Am definitely going to miss the cheap Japanese food

Bubbies ice-cream!! The mochi ice-cream and the Multiple orgasm (hei..that's what they named it!)

Cool guys- Matt, Byron and Su

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Last Weekend Out in Hawaii

My last weekend in Hawaii and what do I do?

Eat and Party!!

Not a real partying person anymore, getting old ;0. The main reason why I kept going back to Pearl Club (which is a reason my friends laugh at a lot) is because of a bartender there named Chad. Yeah Yeah...go ahead and laugh. I just like him cos he is a really bartendar. Made really good drinks and he remembers what you drink. Love the "Chad" shot. haha. Not bad on the eyes either...

Finally got 'uncle' Brendan to laugh/smile on camera. He doesn't like taking pictures. Actually he wasn't really laughing, just shocked that his picture is being taken - he was actually saying HEY!

Long overdued lunches

Met up with some of my friends from college - Michelle, Richelle and Kaitlyn for lunches. It's been a while since I last saw them. Years!

Uni days were so much fun! Used to work with Richelle and Michelle (even their names rhyme) in the College of Business as students advisors. Kaitlyn was in most of our classes. Remembered that we always used the offices as our locker rooms, took advantage of the computers and printers, took breaks in them and..best part of all..the office always had parties and lots of food!!

The 2 greedy pigs

Richelle A. and Kaitlyn M.

All the yummy food at CPK

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Here's with Michelle V. at Shogun

“There are no permanent friends, there are only permanent interests” – Winston Churchill


True? The sentiment is usually taken to mean that inevitably worldly ambition usurps personal loyalties.

Does that mean that friendships only last as long as your interests with them are current? If not, it all disappears?

If that’s true, what truly define friendship? Can friendship only be of two extremes – Strong or fragile?

I guess at the end, the friendships that one has, defines the person they are.

Man and the Forces of Nature

Makapuu tidepools - Brendan at awe

The Beautiful Island of Lanai

Was going to post this earlier but I kindda procrastinated. Yeah I know… it’s been about a month since I went to Lanai for Leo’s and Lisa’s wedding. But it’s better late than never!

Anyway, went off to Lanai for a 3 day vacation (since I have not gone for a vacation for such a long time!) and of course, the main reason for going there was to attend Leo and Lisa’s wedding. It was a beautiful island filled with the most gracious people. The hotel - Four Season’s Manele Bay - was spectacular and the wedding was absolutely beautiful!

Congrats to the new Mr and Mrs Leo and Lisa Sakai-Brehms!!!

The girls - Su, Me, Nicole, Chie and Satoko

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Kualoa Ranch Camp Pics

For those who know me, I am not a camper. Never was. I have to say..I like the luxury of a bathroom/toilet. But since I was told that there is something of a portal potty there and it was only for night, why not right?

We went camping at Ka'a'awa Valley on the northern side of Kualoa Ranch. This is where parts of films like Pearl harbor, Jurassic Park, Godzilla, 50 First Dates, Winstalkers and LOST were filmed. There was no electricity, hardly any water, lots of bugs and mosquitoes, self decomposing portal potties that a few of us do not dare enter again - However, I had a lot of fun. Crazy huh?

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Pics of Pu'uKalena Hike

Our Hike to Pu'uKalena. Beautiful views

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Jes’s Birthday on the Beach

With her darling hubby - Twu Yong

My “baby’s mama” had her birthday about a week ago on the beach. It’s nice being outdoors. Sometimes just because we live in Hawaii… we take the beach for granted, thinking it’ll always be around. Happy birthday Jes!!!

The Groupie

Homemade bday cake, the view and Yoshi

The Stingy

Went to Waimanalo beach today for a picnic with Brendan and his friends. Guess what we found on the beach?? Haha...Baby Portuguese Man-Of-Wars!!!

Another kind of graduation

Today will be the last day that I will see Ivana before I leave Hawaii. Wow..we have been together for almost 3 years (it would have been three years this coming Sept). How time flies. I remember signing up to be a Big Sister about 3 1/2 years ago and they finally got me my match slightly more than half a year later.

My first few experiences with Ivana were not easy. I mean..I thought how bad can it be right? I do have a younger brother…am kindda experienced and all. Well, Ivana comes from a single-parent family, parents are divorced and am the only child. She was spoilt and she will throw tantrums if she could not get what she wanted. It was a little difficult to get through to her. And now fast forward slightly more than 2 ½ years later, we are communicating much better. She’s grown up so much, knows how to compromise, am much smarter and reasons very well. Of course I would like to think that I did play a part in all that!!

When I told her that I was leaving the Big Brother Big Sister organization as I am planning to go home, it was difficult for her. It is difficult for a young girl to part with her “big sister” - someone who sees her almost every week for the past couple of years. But she was a tough girl. She understands. Told her that it is like graduation. You got to leave elementary school to go on to middle school. Got to part with your friends. It will be sad but it’s a step one has to take to achieve bigger and better things in life.

I just hope that I was able to influence her, teach her enough and give her some sort of foundation that she will be able to use through her life… especially now that she’s becoming a teenager. Hope she remembers me!

Self Made diploma for Ivana

Getting Territorial

Like dogs and cats, we women can get territorial too.

Like one of my cats, who starts pissing and pooping around to let me know she's pissed off with me, or trying to gain attention from me.
Not sure which one.
Women too can get territorial.
Teritorial with Men.

We don't piss or poop around.
We just make more noise,
Get angry and we show it.
There may not even be a real logical reason as to why or what we get angry about.

Men,
FYI. Most of the time, we get territorial only on men we care about. Maybe have feelings for.
And when attention are taken away from us, we "rebel".

What can we say? We get protective of what we have. If we never had it, we usually will not fight for it. Like the saying, you don't miss what you never had.

Waikiki Ho'olaule'a

Decided to walk in Waikiki today as there was the Pan Pacific Matsuri Festival and there was a Ho'olaule'a (block party) there. The usual food fare and lots of Hula dancing. But of all the things that that really got me to go walk in the ever-so-crowded Waikiki was the chance to stop by my favourite store - Mondo Gelato Ice cream store!

Trying to be Fendi's Eyewear models. Do you think we passed?

Enjoying Ice cream at Mondo Gelato with Sue Anne and Ben; and Su-lynn

Elementary graduation..

Yesterday, I attended my "little sister" Ivana's graduation from elementary school. Can you believe it...? Graduating from 6th grade. I remember when I graduated from 6th grade....It's was simple and unelaborate. Finished National 6th grade examination (UPSR) and then waited for results. That was it. What my friends and I did on our last day? Said goodbye and I'll see you in high school.

So Simple!!

You can understand my surprise by what I experienced yesterday. The ceremony was held in the hall. The Headmistress called out every 6th grade students by name and said something about them. ( I am not sure whether she really knows everyone by name but sure sounds like it). There was performances, video clips of the students and receipt of the diploma. Pretty interesting. After all that, it was time for the lei giving and photo taking outside in the courtyard.

Very Interesting. I guess..Hawaii is so small and people here like to celebrate events, small or large. People will find something to celebrate. Very Ohana.

With her mum Inger

Quite Funny

Thought I'd share something funny that someone sent me a while ago...

Say Also Don't Listen
Listen Also Don't Understand
Don't Understand Also Don't Ask
Ask Also Don't Do
Do Also Do Wrong
Wrong Also Don't Admit
Admit Also Don't Correct
Correct Also Not Happy
Not Happy Also Don't Say

How?

Women...

WOMEN ARE MEANT TO BE LOVED,

NOT UNDERSTOOD

A little Blue

Hmm...I wonder why when people are down..they call it "having the blues"? I am sure there's a reason for how they came up with it...just that i never did take the initiative to find out why. Why not black?...or gray? Gray seems like a sad/down color!

For those who don't know yet... I am going back home to Malaysia in less than a month. Not for good...but for a little while. Need to spend some time with my family as they have not seen me often since I left home 10 years ago. Maybe..it's also to ease my parents transition to having an empty nest as my brother is leaving for Langkawi for cadet pilot training! (Yay!!! Yew Jin got into Malaysian Airlines..I am so proud of you!!). My parents, knowing me, will not expect a fixed presence of me for long...but it'll help them cope...I think..or hope..not sure which one..

On the other hand..I need a change. Needed to leave Hawaii. I felt stuck. It wasn't good for me. Need a change of perspective. A different drive. A new chapter.

I should be excited...yeah? Then why do I feel so BLUE???

A while... A little too long

How time flies...

To me it's just been a while since i last blogged but in reality..it's actually been a while.

We don't really know how much advantage we take of time...we procratinate, pushing things for later cos we think it's okay..it will not be a problem..then we realize that time passed is time lost.

We always think we have time. But we don't. In a blink of an eye.. our one day turns to one month. Shit...where did all the days go?

Got to start living life to the fullest. Do all you can in one day..no regrets

Friend...

Hawaiians had many terms for "friend" that signified varying degrees and types of friendship. Hoaloha (beloved companion), for example, is a general term for friend. Makamaka (face to face) is a friend with whom you share freely. Aikane (probably "dependable") is a close, personal friend of the same sex. Pilialoha (sticky love) is a romantic friend. And here's a great one: 'au ko'i (axe handle), a trusted friend.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said "The only way to have a friend is to be one." But many people have trouble making friends because they don't know how to be one. So here is a set of guidelines to help you remember:

F = Freedom (give up control)

R = Respect (respect your differences)

I = Interest (take an interest in your friend's interests)

E = Equality (treat your friend like an equal)

N = Nurture (nurture your friend's best qualities)

D = Devotion (be loyal and helpful whenever, wherever, and for as long as you can)

The Hawaiians made such an art of this that I'll end with one of their proverbs describing a good friendship:

Pili kau,

pili ho'oilo

(Together in the dry season,

Together in the wet season)

Me ke aloha pumehana i ko'u kini hoaloha - with warm regards to my many friends.

About Love...True?

Love is a game of Power, the manipulation of emotions to control the mind.

It's a game where the one who shows affection first gives up total control.

"Life is a series of rooms, and who we get stuck in those rooms with, adds up to what our lives are. "

Excerpts taken from House M.D

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!

Thought I'd share some random notes from the wrapper of some Dove Chocolate Hearts that I had plenty of today!!! Courtesy of my darling co-workers...:)

Am not a person who really celebrates Valentine's but Hei...if you can't beat em...join em!!

Be swept away by Love

Trust with your Heart, not your Head

Hold Hands firmly, Hearts gently

and of course you can't leave out...

Be My Valentine

Calm after the Storm

Well it's definitely been while since my last posting!

It's been one very busy month for me lately with work and friends...again...it's not like I'm complaning... Like all of you know.....when it rains..it pours!

Amy's just left on the weekend...She was here for 10 days. It was so much fun! Sabrina was here also earlier in the month of November for 7 days and left 3 days before Amy arrived. Okay..0kay..that's quite some math...don't bother to count! haha..

Kindda like the mayhem of "opps..I gotta work now....okay Amy/Sabrina...I gotta dump you at the mall or Waikiki..will pick you up later".. etc. Haha...what a friend right?? Rush off to work and rush back. Had to study for my continuing education courses to renew my license at the same time...had plenty of deadlines...

BUT IN ALL...I had fun!

And now...it's calm....when will the storm arrive again?

Thinking of Bro...

Just thought of my darling brother....so here's some picture that he took while he was here

Fish Bowl Shot...with Ding Jr. and Mister Heng

Look at these posers!!!

For more pics...go to My Pictures on the side bar

Letting Go

Maybe the past is like an anchor holding us back.

Maybe you have to let go of who you were,

to become who you will be...

When it rains...it pours

Why when things happen.....everything else happens? All at the same time....non stop...can't take a breathe?

Year's coming to an end. Things are supposed to be winding down. Holiday seasons coming...people are supposed to be merry and jolly....eat eat eat!

Winding down...winding down...winding down....

Yeah right! DECK THE HALLS!! Make noise...no time...

I realize for me and people around me...things start getting messy. A lot of people's relationships..kindda went kaput. This year's bad for relationships, I have to say. Hei...but maybe it's for the better. DECK THE HALLS!!

Am I complaining? Not really....yeah things are moving a little fast now...stressful...but it's good. The one thing that's been good for me is work! Yeah I know...people think I'm crazy now. But hei...money's coming in....yay...DECK THE HALLS!!

All this keeps me busy....friends keeps me busy....keeps me from thinking too much.

DECK THE HALLS!!

Tears

"What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul" - Jewish proverb

I guess sometimes...crying is a good thing. It's sort of like a release. Letting it all out. It feels better. There's always something to a good cry.