Celebrating 12 years...the way we once were!

One of our earliest photos together (1996) in Honolulu at the Luana Hills Country Club breakfast buffet. Roy wore ratty concert t-shirts, sported a goatee and drove a motorcycle. I wore (clearly) sweater vests and collared shirts. The free-spirit LA boy meets small town geeky golfer...I bet EVERYONE thought it would last!!!



Less than a year after we met, in 1997, we tied the knot in Keauhou, Kona (yes, yes...I'm already chubbier). Though we were both way too young and naive to know what we were doing, the big man upstairs was looking out for us!


A few months after we wed, we moved to Japan for three years. Don't be fooled, my adoring gaze is hiding the fact that because of the war (What war? These are my memories damnit, there's no need for specifics!) I was forced to become a cheap geisha that Roy pimped out so we could buy extra rations of rice on the black market to feed our six young kids.

This is us on our very first backpacking trip together (Thailand/Myanmar/Laos, 1998). Suffice to say, I was not pleased. It was hot, humid, dirty and I had to carry a huge backpack around (someone should have told me that was why it's called backpacking). We slept in cheap, crummy hotel rooms clearly meant for purposes other than sleeping, and I think I still have a few lice to this day because of it. Thank god for disposable cameras and their terrible resolution as we don't need any clearer a picture of my growing transformation into a chubby dude.

Moscow, 2000. We just arrived in Moscow via the Trans Siberian (took it from Beijing) and I am wearing one of I think, two t-shirts I packed for what should have been a 6-8 month trip (cut short by horrific bed bug attack in Prague). One t-shirt was from Wal Mart, and the other was free from the ticketing agency we got our train fare from. It had horses on it. I am still ashamed.

Tonight the parents are watching Rizzle Fizzle so we can eat at Kona Brewing Company, brewer of the finest craft beers in not just the islands, but the world! ;-) Happy 12th, Roy Meister!

Update: Since we just bought identical new backpacks for our upcoming trip, we agreed not to give each other presents this year. Nonetheless, I hinted very strongly that a card would still be appreciated, as a result, I just received a folded piece of white paper with the following written in thick black Sharpie pen- "Roses are red, violents are blue. You're better than a kangaroo. Love -R"

I take back all the nice things I've ever said about him. We're never gonna last.

The Crazy Month of May

This has been one of the busiest months we've ever had. It kicked off with Ryan's 1st Boys Day and segued into my 1st Mothers Day, Ryan's 1st birthday (with visits from Uncle Joey, Grammy K, Uncle Clyde & Aunty Pat), Uncle Joey's 23rd birthday, special preschool days for Ry (Farm Day, Mordy the therapy dog), trips to see Akaka Falls in Hilo and the petroglyphs in Waikoloa, Ry's cousin Riki's graduation from preschool, a goodbye dinner to cousins Riki & Kenichi (who are headed back to Japan for 6 weeks) and last but not least, our 12th wedding anniversary is tomorrow! Below are a few of the pictures and a video that didn't previously make the cut!

My mom snapped this pic of me at Akaka Falls trying to get Ryan to smile at daddy so he could take a picture. Priceless, yes?

There is exactly one cabinet left in the kitchen (at Ry-level) that does not have a safety latch on it. Ryan found it.

The ancient petroglyphs at Waikoloa (so glad to know I'm not the only one with limited artistic talents).

Ryan sitting with Mordecai (the therapy dog) at preschool. See the video below of him learning how to pet a dog!

My mom took this picture of me (while passing by in my dad's truck) this morning on a hilly 10-mile run (from our house to Sports Authority and back). I particularly love how my stiff, straw-like over-colored ricebowl bangs stick straight up in the air when I run. It kinda looks like I'm a wearing a toupee...wonderful! And speaking of running, there will be more on my running and eating (ugh) in a few days...plenty to say, just not so willing to say it. But since I've recently renewed my commitment to openness and honesty, I'm gonna force myself to spit it out.

And without further ado...Ryan petting Mordy!

The East Side

Roy, Ry & I headed out to Hilo this Memorial Day with my parents and stopped along the way in Honoka'a for some freshly baked Tex' Drive In Bavarian creme-filled malasadas, walked to see the waterfall at Akaka Falls, briefly hit the Hilo Farmers Market, ate brunch at Ken's House of Pancakes before also munching at Big Island Candies (ono combination!) and then went shopping at the Kuhio Mall (so jealous of those who can shop in air-conditioned splendor!). Here are a few photos of the trip!

Ry got tired of riding and insisted on hopping out and helping daddy push his stroller. I always love photographic evidence displaying the excellent sanitation standards I have as a parent! Who needs shoes anyway? I'm sure the mall floors are cleaned hourly!

Ry with Grandpa heading out to Akaka Falls....so pretty. (I am referring to the fauna, not you dad...)!

Mr. Wiggles couldn't keep still for the family photo at the falls!


I insisted on trying to take an Anne Geddes-esque photo of Ryan on the taro leaf, which he thought was hysterical!

And because my own neglectful parents failed to provide me with one of my own such priceless pictures when I was an infant, I made sure to take a belated one for their mantel piece as well. If you also find me irresistably cute and would like a copy of this print, please send me $19.95 (in three monthly installments of course, you all know nothing this pretty comes cheap) and you too, can possess this masterful, classic work of art (limit: 10 per person).

The Fast & The Furious

Fierce Asian biker gang

Somehow, Ryan's godmother Kathy and his Tia Jackie & Tio Isaac got him the exact same gift for his birthday (they are best friends whose work desks are about 4 feet away from each other, so you can see why this would happen...tee hee...we think it's hysterical and sweet!). In their defense, Kathy had me pick out the gift in Kona, and Jackie had it shipped to us, so they never knew what the other was getting. In any case, they came up with the idea that we take advantage of this opportunity and form an Asian biker gang! So Ry & I did, and I think we look awfully intimidating, much more than the one Roy tried to form anyway.

Not so fierce white biker gang

Party Pics - Part I

Ry's 1st (& only) big birthday bonanza went great! The weather was great (slightly overcast = less red, crispy folks afterwards), and in the grand tradition of every Hawaiian party, there was plenty 'o food for all!


Ry LOVES his new faux Kawasaki ATV scooter from his godmother (who could not be there because, well, she sucks...just kidding KT!) because of all the noisy buttons!

We always try to take a picture of everything Ry gets so we can remember the kindness of our loved ones long after the toys/clothes are gone and so once he's older, Ry can see how much he was loved.

Ryan loved playing with the little surfboard cake Grammy K made him! While he ever really figured out that he could actually EAT the cake (Grammy K kept feeding him a few bites), he did have fun pulverizing it!

Our family (you know, the original one with what I call my parent's 'real' children only) always gets in a few pics together!

Party Pics - Part II

I wanted to go with a surfing theme for his party...but anyone who knows me or my mother knows she made this birthday sign. And the surfboard goodie bags. And the surboard thank you cards. And wrapped all the gifts from the entire family. When her fingers become too arthritic to do all these types of crafts, we're gonna need a Chuck E. Cheese around here since that's where we're gonna have to go! Momma don't do crafts.

Ry wearing his birthday crown at preschool. He brought a rainbow array of jello cups with whipped cream instead of cake...but he wasn't a huge fan of the jello. He spit it right back out at Grammy K!

Ry opening a present with daddy! Daddy opened all his presents with him that day (as mommy prefers not to photographed when she's bloated with puffy eyes and sweating from the humidity).

Ry is using his new floatie from Grandpa & Grandma and wearing his new rash guard from Aunty Yuri & Uncle Mike at Kahalu'u Beach Park!

Ry playing with one of his toys from Uncle Joey!

Party Pics - Part III

Okay, these aren't party pics per se, but Ry learned how to do peek-a-boo and we think these pics are so cute! Half the time he only uses one hand or covers his ears instead of his eyes (as you can see)!

It's Party Day!!!

Ry & Daddy one year ago today

Today is the big party and preparations are in full swing. Uncle Jon is making the inari sushi and rice, Grandpa & Grandma & Uncle Clyde & Aunty Pat are making the spam musubis, pasta salad, soaking the chicken and spare ribs, Grammy K has made the cakes, and we're making the Asian salad, butter mochi and brownies. Joey is picking up the shrimp platters, deli wraps, pizzas and cake. Uncle Joel & Aunty Lynne are setting up down at the beach park and I'm...well, blogging! Horrible. I know. But I think everything is under control and I'm watching Ryan snooze at the moment.

One quick note before I log off- apparently I mis-measured the distance of last week's 13.1 and/or I was hitting the crack pipe. Because I thought I ran it in just under 2:10 (which was about my average back in the day). However, I ran a very similar, somewhat easier course of 13.1 yesterday and did it in (get this)-2:25. Good Lord. I'm throwing up as I type this. Apparently never going to the gym, only running 2 days a week and carrying around an extra 7-8 extra pounds DOES make a difference. So if I thought I was slow before- look out running world. You ain't seen nothin' yet.

The only plus of the day was that I did the entire distance WITH Roy. Because of his knees he can't run very fast, which made us excellent running partners. It's the first time in my entire life that I've actually run with someone else for an extended period of time. It was kinda comforting, and it definitely motivating. We even shared water and gel bloks (awww). But believe it or not, at first I was horribly depressed about him keeping up with me (the guy basically pulled the 13 out of his a** and only walks/runs one day a week, which he's JUST started doing 3 weeks ago), but we found that as long as we're not competitive with each other, it's a lovely thing to do together.

Ryan's May '09 Pictorial

The 1st birthday party preparations are in full swing! Crazy Uncle Joey has arrived, and apparently- has the same taste in clothes as Ry! Check out his first pair of shoes (complete with little skulls and crossbones)! When we first put them on his feet and let him "walk" in them, he stared down at them and started to do some crazy, stiff legged walk that had us all on the floor howling.

Playing Peek-A-Boo at preschool!

Ryan got to bring his Grammy K (who also flew in from California for the party) with him to preschool one day! She hasn't seen him since he was 4 months old, but within minutes of seeing her- was grinning and laughing! He's since taken to her even more and has been showering her with kisses. Last night he even fell asleep with Grammy K so that his parents could have a hot date out!

We started the pre-birthday festivities with a small celebration of Ry's big day at preschool- he got to wear a special crown while everyone sang to him (which eventually fell down and covered his face...he politely sat there anyway). We made a colorful array of jello cups for the other kids to eat (instead of cake, since we're saving his first bite of cake for Grammy K's special custom birthday cake this weekend)!

With Grandpa F at Uncle Mav's petting zoo wearing his brand new Boy's Day shirt from Grandma F. He got to ride a horse for a second time with mommy and was again, completely unimpressed (which cannot be said for mommy, who eats that sh** up with a spoon)!

Our little boy has become a man!!!

So I was all set to write about my having run 13 miles on Saturday (conveniently leaving out both how slow I was and the alarming number of walk breaks I had to take at the end)...and look who upstaged me!



Ry is developing quite a personality. He can mimic sounds we make, imitate our actions, and laughs and waves at us (and random strangers). His favorite new game requires us to drop to all fours and growl at him. He squeals, laughs hysterically and frantically crawls away...and inevitably when he gets cornered, he quickly spins around, sits down, stares at us and sucks his thumb with a huge smile on his face.

Happy Mothers Day, everyone! Because Ry was born a week after Mothers Day, this year was my first one! My two white boys got me a new pink Under Armour shirt and a brown North Face t-shirt from Sports Authority, and a 'rock star-ish' nightie (that I strongly hinted for). For lunch we went to our favorite restaurant (Bubba Gumps) with my mom while my dad & sister-in-law watched Ryan, and in the later afternoon...I got to go lap swimming for the first time in a very long time!!! We only had 25 min. before the pool closed, but I was able to eke out 15 laps. It was quite soothing, refreshing and cool, and it felt great to be able to cross train! Gotta tone the batwings!

My Boys Rock

Ry opening one of his Boys Day presents with daddy

Roy is the best! For three consecutive weeks, he has granted me a Mommy's Night Out! Once he gets home from work, he usually takes him to the beach or pool, feeds him dinner, gives him a bath and then puts him to bed. It both gives me a much-needed break from mommy duty (not that having an 11-month old tightly wrapped around my right leg all day long isn't super terrific fun), and it also gives Roy some one-on-one time with his boy as well.

Thus far, I have only engaged in retail therapy, which admittedly, over time, could be a problem. Thankfully, a friend has recently put in notice at her second job, and she's hoping she'll be able to join me on my weekly outings once in awhile (and I'll be able to save some of Roy's hard earned cash)!

Though Roy has encouraged me to do this for months, I felt guilty doing it until now (mostly because once he's home, I feel bad just walking out on him). However, I now realize how important it is for my mental health to get out on my own once awhile. I literally spend 24-7 with Ry, so its good for Ry and I that we spend some time apart.

That's not to say Roy doesn't deserve a break too (he gets a night a week to go to ukulele lessons, and we each get one weekend morning to do our long runs). But I don't like to compare Roy and I. I think we both shoulder equally difficult workloads- we both get up very early each morning (5:45am or so). Roy has to head off to a very stressful and fast-paced job, and I have to change, feed, entertain and protect a demanding, clingy baby all day. And while he gets quiet time driving to and from work and gets to eat his breakfast and lunch without a weeping baby clutching his thigh wanting to be carried, I get to take a nap or read a book while Ry sleeps (believe it or not, I've done MORE reading since I've had a baby). The only thing I tend to gripe about a lot is that I no longer get to thrive professionally. This is somewhat critical to my self worth in that I like feeling self sufficient and successful, so it's painful hearing about Roy's day at work, because, damnit, I miss strategizing, getting raises, chatting with CEOs. I miss kicking a** and taking names in the workplace.

But I think we've (finally!) found a pretty nifty balance these past few weeks- we each get our fun (our one night out per week), and our one weekend morning (to exercise). All we lack is some time together without Ryan, but that will come in time...no rush. It's helped me start to recreate a new life for myself. I know now that I will never lead the life I once did (kinda sad...well, very sad), so it's important for me to move forward with interests that for now, do not include international travel or making money (sooo painful). Running is a good start, but I'd really like to start lap swimming as well. A few days ago I dug out our old goggles, and tonight I bought a new bikini, so I'm hoping one afternoon a week Roy and I can each take turns swimming for 30 minutes while the other watches Ryan in the shade of the baby pool.

I have to say, Ry is almost a year old, and I'm still astounded by how difficult life is with a baby. Perhaps it's a bigger adjustment for me given my initial hesitation to have a child, but I'm still really struggling to find my way. Most days are a combination of despondency, guilt (for not feeling the gratitude I feel I should) and yearning. I love Ryan to death, but that doesn't mean that I'm in love with my 'new' life...so it's a high priority of mine to change that. I don't write about it much here (the internal struggle), nor the effect it has on my me (my emotional health, my overeating), but I suppose I should. Regrettably, I think the blog has changed from when I was once totally anonymous (and could be much more open) to where I now edit myself because I've shared it with the people that we know. I suppose along with the other changes I'm hoping to bring to my life, I should change that too.

Ry never tells a lie!

...and speaking of Ryan, guess who just registered for his first race?! Ryan has chosen a Fathers Day Keiki Fun Run in which to debut his athletic prowness. He will be competing in the 1-4 year old 100-yard dash category, so because of his young age (and the fact that he will probably still be crawling), we started him on a strict training program today. I ordered him to drop and give me ten, and while he did drop, he instead proceeded to lick the carpet. So we do have some work ahead of us...but mark my words- by June 21st, he will be fierce!

Like any good mom-ager, I'm definitely open to sponsorship deals. We're currently in negotiations with a leading pork rind manufacturer and the fine maker of Post Its, but if someone wants to throw more cash at us, we're all ears!

Oh man

So today I managed to stumble my way through a just shy of 13-miler from my house to the Keahole Airport. It wasn't pretty. Apparently I'd loooong forgotten that 4 out of the last 5 miles (before you hit the airport turn off) have a mild uphill grade to them AND as it happens- a fairly strong headwind. I was DYING. Because I was so beat over the last few miles, I never quite felt that second set of shot bloks kick in and it took everything I had to not walk in the last 2 miles (though I took QUITE a few walking breaks).

Holy shizz-nit.

Clearly I have forgotten that 13.1 is not to be taken lightly, and that even the addition of 1-2 minor elements (in this case, the steady uphill grade and headwind) can totally kick you in the a** and renew your respect for the distance. The whole time I was out there today I kept reminding myself of why I like the half- it's long enough to be challenging, but reasonable. 26.2? Not so reasonable, and in the shape I'm in- soooo not possible right now.

So after today's brutally painful reminder that I am at best, half as fit as I used to be- my new realistic approach is to forget about the full for now. It's just not realistic given that I can only run two days a week, AND no longer have the time or money to work out at the gym (overall body conditioning definitely helps in marathon training). I'm also still a bit heavier than I used to be, which can take a toll on one's granny knees. That's not to say that in 2-3 months I won't want to gradually up my runs from 13 to 16-18 miles (I like that that distance puts you in marathon contention), but I'm certainly not going to pressure myself to do it. In fact, at this point, I think I'm much more inclined to just be happy with 13.1 and stick with that for a good long while...maybe even take a short breather from the runs and get into lap swimming instead. I figure it will build different muscles, give my legs a rest and help even out my hideous runner's tan.

So while I (very recently) had some grand aspiration of running another marathon post-baby (just to prove to myself that I could), I think I'm going to step back for a minute and just be comfortable with what I've already accomplished, which is namely that I:

1. ...started running again almost exactly 3 months ago- on February the 3rd. And in that time, I worked my way up from running one mile to basically 13. Not bad.

2. ...will be able to run a half marathon juuuust before Ryan turns 1. Not a bad come back!