Hey October...this really wasn't the plan.

I had hoped the second half of October would go a little more smoothly, but we're not off to the smoothest start:

• Ryan is sick. He's had a cold for almost two weeks, and although he's been resting, he can't seem to completely shake this... Doesn't seem to be COVID (tested him five times), so that's good, but it is just as annoying in it's duration and amount of time of missed school.
• My mom went to the ER (it was my dad's turn last weekend, sigh) for a possible popped/broken eardrum. We shall see...but she just got over the worst of her bronchitis, and now this... Not thrilled with her in the ER for so long when so many are sick with the flu/COVID, but that seems to be how it goes these days.
• My nephew Riki flew in from Oahu again, and my brother Joey flew in from Seattle...but we can't exactly gather normally with three sick members (parents/Ryan)...so once again, we are not seeing as much of Joey as we'd like.
• This just breaks my heart- my beloved coworker, J...passed away last week. I was sad and relieved to hear he passed...only so he'd be reunited with his mom (oh how he loved his mom!), and out of pain.

But sitting in all this sadness isn't healthy or helpful, so I'm going to try and focus on a few positives, right?

• Joey is here! Everyone is always happy to see him.
• After 2 weeks of bedrest and isolation, I was able to get outside today and tried to catch up on yardwork, then housework (we did a partial deep clean of Ryan's bedroom).
• When I was sick...I had a few really thoughtful and sweet friends drop off get well baskets...which really touched me! Yuri, Ragni, Hiroko...three of my closest and dearest friends, all made me feel loved. I used every bit of those gifts to get through my isolation!
• Ryan performed beautifully with his taiko mates at the most incredible Obon Odori (festival). It was so fun to watch them do so well and then bond/laugh together dancing after.
• I was able to do help with a beach clean up one weekend, and then visit my coworker J in hospice for a second time. It was a GIFT to be able to visit him. Of course it was sad, but I know in my heart the universe has an amazing trip planned for this man. He's an angel on Earth and he'll be one beyond as well...
• I got to go on my first longer run in 2-3 weeks with Yuri, and I was thrilled. It sure hurt my plantar fasciitis, but it felt good to get out there.
• We have two fun Halloween functions this season...and I'm always happy when my son will participate in another year of holiday festivities. :-) One will be at our house with his friends, and another will be with a friend...he also carved his own pumpkin yesterday, when we weren't home. So cool!
• We were able to take my nieces out for a fun family night of dinner/Fun Factory...

Our Corp Chef had quite a brunch buffet for the beach clean up volunteers, it was sooo delicious! And I had a great time getting all sweaty with the best people. I love my coworkers. They are the best.

The boys are back in town! Love! Too bad we couldn't join them...as Ry wasn't feeling well.

Hmm...despite being half Asian, Ry appears to be the tallest in the group here...haha. The kids did an amazing four numbers on this evening, and I enjoyed every second of it. It never gets old.

Sensei Akemi told the kids to get out there and participate in the bon dancing...and they all listened and had a great time!!! I was so glad she told them to get their buns out there, as they all did amazingly well, which is not surprising given their eye-hand coordination!

I am hoping that as time passes, things start to slow down and normalize a bit. Because geesh, it's been weirdly not-so-great...Rich has surgery, Jolene gets COVID, family member loses job, BFF loses her dad, other BFF loses her brother/cat, dad goes to ER, mom goes to ER, Ryan gets sick, coworker J passes away. A lot to take on in two months, for sure.

A few pics from the month...

Too sick to join us out at Huggo's with Joey, but not too sick to enjoy some takeout!

Joey loved his sunset dinner at Huggo's with us!

On Joey's final night, we were able to have dinner at Kai before he left for the airport!

We had one family gathering together (of everyone) on the night before Joey left, at my parents. They hosted a loco moco night, outdoors, since so many were not feeling well. It was a semi-celebration of my mom's birthday, since we had to cancel birthday plans two other nights (due to her having bronchitis and an ear infection).

The family fun night involved a serious Dance Dance Revolution dance off. The competitors were serious and down to annihilate the competition!