Taiko!!!

I took Ryan to see a taiko performance by an Oahu-based ensemble (Kenny Endo) last night.  And because I'm such a classy gal and proud patron of the arts, I sprung for some amazing front row seats!!!  Okay fine...technically it was a free concert at the library, and since we went an hour early we got to nab the front row seats.  But since I did donate a couple of bucks to the group that sponsored the performance, last I checked- this still qualifies me as a very proud, generous patron of the arts.  Not quite a Getty or Rockefeller of course, but surely worthy enough of being deeded a shaded, front row parking stall at the library I'm sure.

Anyhoo.  Ryan loved it.  It's the fourth or fifth time he's watched a taiko performance, so he was pretty riveted by the artistry of the dancing and the powerful pounding of the drums.

After the concert they invited up a few children and adults to come and receive a quick tutorial about drumming.  Ryan was selected as one of the lucky folks...so he shyly walked up, tentatively held the two sticks in his hands, softly tapped the drum a few times (& received applause from the very supportive, sweet, mostly senior crowd), then gently laid the drumsticks back down on the floor and returned to his seat before the lesson even began.  Ah...that's my boy!!!

Making laundry soap

A few days ago a friend posted this on Facebook, and I was instantly besotted.  You see, I love baking and cooking, but I'm notoriously impatient and always looking for a short cut.  I rarely put in the hard work required to do something organically from beginning to end. So this project instantly appealed to me- because it allows me to proudly create something home made (at a cost savings), but doesn't require me to boil a cauldron of industrial-strength lye over an open flame.

While it would of course be far greener to perch a handwoven hemp basket (filled with my dirty drawers) atop my head, carry it to a pond and then beat them on the lava rocks- I am happy with the middle ground.  So yesterday Ryan and I went to the store and easily found all of the recommended ingredients.  And to my surprise, even though we live in Hawaii- for under $20. This morning we eargerly made our laundry soap, and ta-da! We now have about a year's worth of soap.  I now get to return the huge bottle I just bought from Costco (that usually only lasts 3-4 months and costs about the same amount).

In the grand scheme of things, I'm really not saving all THAT much since there's only three of us ($60 a year or so), and I only wash about 2-3 loads a week.  However, it does appear to be a bit more eco-friendly in that you only need to toss out the ingredient packaging once vs. 3-4 Costco plastic containers (per year).  It also eliminates the use of excess chemicals/perfumes added to most commercial detergent as well (not that I ever had a problem with the beautiful clean scent of Tide).  :-)  So overall, I think for the amount of time and effort involved, it's a pretty neat thing to do...

We used the large grater as recommended, and it only took about 5 minutes to grate all three bars.

I wasn't going to take any chances of Ryan inhaling all that fine powder while mixing it up, so I made a protective mask for him.  I should probably trademark how I did it...but because I'm a giver, here it is- 1. Take a piece of Kleenex, fold it in half.  2. Secure it to each side of your child's cheek with a piece of Scotch tape.  3.  Smugly smile at your ingenuity.

To store it all, we used upcycled Costco cashew containers & scoops from the canisters of OxyClean.  Ryan is holding  5 loads worth of soap that we packaged for our trip next month.

While I was busy mixing and packaging...someone scampered off to play store.  As I continued to work and clean up for another 10 minutes, he helpfully asked me in 17-second intervals if I wanted to play store with him.  (But he's not pushy at all.)

So the moral of the story is this- even lazy people can be pioneers. I am proud, living proof.  :-)

Mauna Kea!

Even though a trip up to the occasionally snow-covered Mauna Kea wasn't on my bucket list for 2012, I've wanted to take Ryan there since our trips to Iceland & Tehachapi did not yield any of the cold, white stuff for him to play in.  :-)  Thankfully, yesterday was one of those rare Hawaiian days where a ton of snow dumped down on both Mauna Kea & Mauna Loa. So when I checked online this morning to see if the access road had reopened, we were ecstatic to see that it was and quickly started throwing stuff in the car so we could hightail it up there.

For the record, I've been up to see the snow at Mauna Kea three times prior to today.  The first time I was about 2-3 years old, and I can still vividly remember lying down on the floor of my father's Blazer and crying because I had thrown up (from altitude sickness).  My second trip up to see the snow was better- two friends (Chris & Bobby) and I had just graduated from high school, and after a trip to see the lava flow in the morning, we impulsively decided to see the snow in the same day.  I had a terrible earache on the way down, but was otherwise fine.  My third trip was about ten years ago with my family & Rich.  I got sick at the top and had to walk back down early to ease the pounding in my head.  So needless to say, my mountaineering track record is far from Sherpa/Nepalese Porter status.

But I have to say, today's last minute trip was seamless from beginning to end.  Once we hit about 7,000 feet in elevation, we took 5 breaks on our way up to the top (13,000 feet) so that we wouldn't subject Ryan to any unnecessary altitude sickness.

The drive up is always a bit surreal/otherworldly when you can see volcanic craters covered in snow.

One of our many rest stops on the way up...I am hidden behind that outcropping of rocks...doing, um...nothing.  Nothing at all.

Mommy & Ryan

Daddy & Ry Ry using a "Hawaiian sled" to slide down the slopes together.

The snow was pretty deep, maybe around 10-12 inches on average...and powdery soft.  Heavenly.  Especially under the warm Hawaiian sun.  The temp was 22 degrees when we woke up, but had warmed up to a little over 40 by the time we got there, but it never felt like it.  I swear, I'm colder in the produce reefer at Costco.  :-)

Someone wisely figured out a much less laborious way to get back up the slopes.

Two of the cutest keiki at 13,000 feet- Ry and his favorite snow bunny, Naomi!  

Ryan eating snow.  I had to try some too.  Delicious stuff.  Much better when in a paper cone and covered in guava syrup though.

Yesterday our little daredevil was hopping off a 6-foot pier, and today he was sledding solo down the slopes and begging to explore the dark drainage pipe above (Rich & Ryan scrambled/splashed all the way across to the other side, armed with the light from Rich's iPhone).  :-)

Our first snow day as a family...amazing and unforgettable.

I'll leave you all with a blinding white video of Ryan's first solo sled ride (that ended a little prematurely):

Peaman & Pier Jumping

Our day started off with Ryan participating in his first kiddie run of the year...Peaman's Turtle Trudge!  The last two races he did were over the holidays, which might explain his ah...'rustiness' at the starting line.  Or more accurately- his flat out refusal to take a step after the race started.  :-)  Not even Keni, Riki, Paulina or his beloved Makenna scampering off without him were enough to get him moving.  When I asked him why he didn't want to run, he said, "Because I don't want to get tired."  Well all righty then!  At least he's honest. :-) Thankfully, after a few minutes of being bribed with some beach time IF he ran the race (tee hee, we were going anyway), he was game!

Both of my boys hamming it up for the camera, just shy of the halfway turnaround point.

Stopping off for a quick hug from Grandma (who was on her way to church).

Running the last few hundred yards in on the sea wall...much more scenic.  :-)

Yaaay!  Mr. Lazy finished!  

Keni ran his first ever 5-miler (by accident, they missed the 2-mile turn around), but still!  What a champ!  FIVE miles! He's only 9!  At 9 years old the only distance I would run was between the car and the ice cream parlor.  

After the race, we did a quick swim in the bay (much, much better today- new goggles, the "special" lotion to prevent fogging...and I was rewarded with clear visibility of the colorful fish and coral!).  After that, we let the boys (that's Riki above) jump off the pier with their friends Duke & Makenna.  So of course Ryan insisted he wanted to jump too.  I had to jump in first and tread water while he peered down at me, fear written all over his face- but he did it!  He jumped!  Super proud of the little daredevil.

All good things must come to an end.  Here's Rich post-swim, and Ryan post-jump and mid-meltdown (he was cold, tired and ready to go home)  ;-)

Days don't get much better than this.  It ends tonight with dinner at a friend's house that we haven't seen in ages...and who also happens to be a gourmet cook, so yay!

Rich is off tomorrow, so we're going to see if we can head up to Mauna Kea and see last night's snow!!!  Fingers crossed the road is open- little Hawaiian Ryan has yet to touch snow!

Three more months...

It's hard to believe that in just three short months, this little boy will be four years old.  And then not too long after that, he'll be off to preschool.  Of course it passed by quickly, but one of the best decisions Rich and I ever made was to have me stay home with Ryan so that it wouldn't pass by too quickly.  I suppose technically, we "sacrificed" my career and $$$ to do that, but it never felt like a sacrifice to be able to stay home with Ryan, it felt like a gift.  So with the end to our full days together now in sight, I've been making every effort to enjoy the days we share together.  Not hard to do with this easy going, happy little fella...see all the pics below and you'll know what I mean.

Farmer Ryan tending to his crops (we actually have 8 pineapples blooming at the moment). Watch out, Dole.

Sometimes when I water the plants I accidentally water my head too.

There is nothing, and I do mean NOTHING that Ryan loves more than to play with his two cousins.  Even if they do bicker a lot (on this day, we were all together for five hours straight, which is roughly the equivalent of about 329 arguments), they do an equal amount of laughing together too.  Unfortunately, most of the laughter is from talking about poop, farts or toilet bowls...but they'll grow out of that once they're 50, right?

Our sweet little butterfly at school.

Valentines morning with his Valentines Day haul.

The Valentines Day lunch at Sam Choy's Kai Lanai with (most) of the family.  The best part of that restaurant according to Ryan?  Not the sweeping 180 degree ocean views, not the delicious, mouth watering food, not even the beautiful eye-candy he is dining with...  It is the 'fancy' bathroom sink.  :-)  We get to visit them at least once or twice every time we go there. (I swear we're not snorting coke lines on the top of the toilet tank, just compulsively turning the water on and off in the sink!)

Armageddon is upon us

Little Kailua-Kona is generally (blessedly) drama-free. Just the way we like it. Unfortunately, the last few days have been far from it- high winds, multiple brush fires, aborted cruise ship stops (due to the choppy sea) & hours-long backed up/closed roads. Thankfully, homes & lives were spared.

Until now.  But don't be alarmed, I'm not talking about humans, just my hopes and dreams. Last Monday I opened my worm bin, and even though it was a cursory glance, it seemed like there were a little less.  But since I was in a rush to dump in the food, I didn't have time to hunt for the little 'balls' of worms (they tend to collect/bunch together like little balls of twine).  But then on Thursday, I opened up the bin again...only this time it was abundantly obvious that over a span of 3 days, 80% of my worms were either dead or gone.  Since I started off with about 100 in June '11, they've thrived and multiplied into what looked to be maybe 600-700.  Needless to say, I was horrified and bereft.  But because I had two friends over at the time, I had to grit my teeth, keep a brave face on and stop myself from collapsing to the ground in a heap (I am strong like that...ostrich bite survivor and all).

Initially, I thought it was mass genocide (by some thick, white worms that I hadn't noticed until that day).  I naturally held them responsible for somehow picking off my beautiful red wrigglers because their arrival perfectly coincided with the death of 2/3 of my red worms.  So in retaliation and a desperate attempt to save the rest, I furiously hand picked out probably 300 of those nasty little white cannibals (no further comment about the imperialist invaders being white).  While doing so, I silently cursed them for having the nerve to not only feed on my happy, productive little worm family, but for killing my dream(s) of being a self righteous, hippie organic gardener.  Now who would get to don a big straw hat, cute pastel gardening boots from Target and a hemp basket all around town, proudly handing out organic heirloom tomatoes to her friends & strangers alike?!  Not me, that's who!!!  And so I angrily stuffed their repulsive little bodies into a ziploc bag and not knowing what to do with them, left them to suffocate in the sun.  In hindsight, this was a little cruel...okay, a lot cruel.  But as any mother/pet owner knows- if you hurt her babies, somebody gon' pay.

Unfortunately, the very next morning when I opened up my predator-free bin, I found the remaining 150 or so red worms all shriveled up, lifeless...and dead.  Every last one of them.  Needless to say, I was/am devastated and still in shock. So officially, the cause of death listed on the 700 death certificates I must painstakingly issue out will be unknown.  There will be no service, as my mother cruelly refused to fold 700 origami caskets for her grandworms.

So at this point, there is no happy ending, and no glass half full as I'm not even sure what to learn from this.  I did not move the bin (they're in a shady, protected area) or feed my worms any differently (no meat, dairy, acidic foods) than I have in the past 7 months that they thrived, so my guess is that they suffered some type of illness vs. cannibalism. I want to start over again, I have too...I'm very committed to this process/idea.  But right now, the thought of it just frustrates me.  I think I need a few weeks to decompress, as well as track down my kind worm supplier (who will hopefully agree to another worm deal in the parking lot of a nearby local service station).  Everything I do is with class.

So please, don't cry for me, Argentina or my worms.  They had a good life, cut short by about 14 years, but I guess that's how life is sometimes.  Here's to moving onward and upward...sniff.  [collapses in a heap]

Finally!

About two years ago I made it a goal to swim in the open water at Kailua Pier.  For someone born and raised in the islands, you'd think I'd have swam in the open water before, but...no.  I've swam laps in the pool (although the last time was probably 2-3 years ago), and I've frolicked in the ocean- but I've never, ever wed the two.  This is because I've never really been a beach person, and there are lots of frightening things in the ocean (that have no business being there), like fish, eels, sharks, rays and jellyfish.  :-)

But you know...ever since I moved back to the islands in '08, I've really wanted to swim in the ocean.  I'm no longer quite as fearful of getting eaten alive, and I really wanted to view the amazing sea life we have, frolic with dolphins and engage in the best impact-free, endorphin-high the island has to offer.  And so on this past Sunday, I finally did!  Rich, Ryan and I headed to our favorite beach (Kamakahonu), while he and I took turns swimming with a friend out to the end of the white buoys over on the other side of the pier at Kaiakeakua Beach.  Swimming out to the last white buoy at the pier is sort of like being 5-years old and swimming across the YMCA pool to graduate from being a guppy and becoming like, a tadpole.  But still.  Baby steps, baby steps...

To be honest, it was a little unnerving (with a little bit of exhilaration thrown in), but mostly because I made some classic rookie mistakes.  My ancient goggles broke as I was putting them on, so we had to tightly knot them together (thereby giving me the hot and sexy raccoon-eyed look for an hour after).  I'd also forgotten to put that er...magic solution* into my goggles, so they fogged up almost instantly and gave me like, 2-feet visibility. And finally, because I take a breath on every right arm stroke and I'd forgotten to drink water beforehand, my throat was parched within 10 minutes.  I also didn't realize how disorienting it is to know what direction you're going in...every time I popped my head up out of the water to see where I was headed, it was nearly always in the wrong direction. So all of these little issues coupled with trying to keep up my fishy fast friend (thanks for taking one for the team, Heidi!) = a challenging first ocean swim.

*A popular, commonly used liquid application in the islands that prevents fogging when applied to masks/goggles called spit.

But I think I'm still hooked.  I loved the coolness of the water, the beauty of the coral reef (it truly felt like I was swimming in an aquarium!), and looking up to see looming Mt. Hualalai & swaying palm trees on shore.  It was like being in another world.  I won't deny my heart was pounding much of the time, and that I was definitely nauseous after (I suffer from motion sickness)...but it was definitely worth it.  I can see myself wanting to do this more frequently so that it feels less foreign/fearful and gradually becomes more natural.

My plan at this point is to definitely do it again, only this time- to go at a slower pace, and with working, fog-free goggles.  ;-)  Can't wait.  Here are a few pics I stole from Google Images that will give you a better idea of the beauty of our little island town...

My favorite beach on the island...Kamakahonu Beach.  Calm, protected, beautiful and  Jaws-free.

Kaiakeakua Beach...also beautiful, but don't let the prettiness fool you.   Creatures lurk within that are just waiting to eat you.

See what I mean?  Look how terrified everyone is.  Those women in the water look borderline hysterical...the children on the sea wall look like they're about to have heart attacks.  Nonetheless, I braved the treacherous sea and like my battle with the ostrich- won.  There is no keeping this sista down.

Kung Hee Fat Choy

Every so often, its good to remind myself that there is more to being part-Chinese than just being cheap.  And so on Friday night, we drove the three boys out to Waikoloa to see the Asian festival.  We went primarily to see the dancing lion (my mistake, I referred to it yesterday as a dancing dragon) & taiko, but also got to see Filipino & Thai performances as well.

Ryan was half terrified of feeding the noisy, dancing, kinda...um...spastic lion.  But the 16% Chinese blood running through his veins persevered!

If there had been some noisy, dangerous firecrackers polluting the air and 1 billion loudly yelling Chinese people it would have felt just like being in China!  

This picture just makes me hungry for pahd thai, chicken satay and coconut curry.  Please tell me I'm not the only one.

A rare, raaaare moment of quiet last evening with the boys...is there anyone out there with THREE young boys that doesn't have high blood pressure?  Seriously.  My ears bled from all the tattling and grumbling in the car last night.  

"Someone" (and I won't mention names), in the span of about a minute, decided to get completely DRENCHED in the water fountain last night.  I was equally horrified and impressed by my normally reserved little boy!  :-)

The night ended with (family tradition!) a giant DQ Blizzard to share, and tree climbing.

Here's my take away from the night- learning from other cultures should be a fascinating experience, not a hateful one. Now if only we could get a few others to celebrate diversity instead of doing crazy things like boycotting Penny's & Starbucks for being gay-friendly.  Seriously...can we please just evolve as a species and entertain the idea that we're not all born the same color, size, shape or sexuality, but that we're still all equal and deserve to be treated as such?  

Celebrating life

The older I get, the more I want to celebrate each day of life as the gift that it truly is.  I never want to take any thing, person or blessing for granted.  It's a lot to be mindful of, but I've made tremendous improvement in appreciating what I have today vs. thinking about what I want tomorrow.  I credit age for this.

Last night was a very long overdue Family Night.  We had dinner at Bianelli's, one of my favorite places to eat (followed by ice cream...clearly), since we've been wanting to jointly celebrate my running the ultra, Rich getting a new job and our finishing the condo.

And two nights ago, I took the three boys out to Genki Sushi & Dairy Queen to celebrate Keni & Riki returning from Japan.  Ryan is ten, no...twenty times happier now that they're back.

Today we celebrated our beautiful Hawaiian culture with a school field trip out to Kaloko-Honokohau Harbor, an amazingly scenic & peaceful beach filled with over three-hundred Hawaiian turtles, fish ponds & a heiau (ancient temple) .

Kumu (teacher) Kalani did an excellent job enthusiastically teaching us all about the spirit of the Hawaiian canoe.  By the end of his presentation, I was ready to quit my day job and become a fisherman.  

Ry Ry & sweet Omi...tree huggers & caretakers of our beautiful 'aina (land). 

Tomorrow we hope to celebrate my 1/4 Chinese heritage, and Ryan's 1/8 with a drive out to Waikoloa to see a dancing Chinese dragon.  Kung Hee Fat Choy!

2012 Bucket List

I started this post in December feeling quite smug about being ahead of the game.  But the joke is on me, because so far- this year has been insanely busy & I'm a mess.  So even though I’m a month late, I really wanted to set some realistic goals that will truly interest me and enrich my life vs. what I think I should I do (but don’t really want to).

1.   Leisure

a.       Visit Pebble Beach in South Kona with the three boys (& scope it for camping).

b.      Kayak across Kealakekua Bay with Rich & Ryan (I’ve been to the bay a lot, but have never crossed it).

c.       Take the three boys camping at Pine Trees.

d.      Plan a low-key, Candyland-themed birthday for Ryan.

e.      Plan a special, private 15^th anniversary with Rich & Ryan in Waikoloa.

f.        Take Ryan to his first luau (must have fire dancers).  

2.       Health & Fitness  

a.       Finish my first ultra marathon.

b.      Feel strong during the Kona Marathon in June & beat last year's Hilo marathon time.

c.       Maintain my current weight with fitness goals (vs. diets).

3.       Financial

a.       Restock the savings (a bit depleted after the condo purchase/renovation)

b.      Consider delaying move-in date to the house by 12 months (best way to accomplish the first financial goal)!

4.       Travel

a.       Revisit China with a side trip to Tibet (Morocco will be in 2013 due to parental concessions).

5.       Spirit & Mind

a.       Spend more time on daily meditation to alleviate anxiety

6.       Rich & Ryan

a.       Expose Ryan to gymnastics

b.      Start Ryan in preschool on a part-time, half day basis once he turns 4-4½

c.       Help Rich find more time to engage in his interests (improv, SUPing, ukulele & guitar)