We are doing better, thank you

Okay, after getting hammered by so many things...we are almost back to normal. Work load still overwhelming, but we are back to safe and sound.  

Ryan ended up having a pretty swell October, after all:

• For starters, he got his very first HS report card, and he got all As! So happy, relieved, and proud of his efforts...because I was nervous as hell. Since he tech got three As in summer school as well. this means he's still tied for #1 with all the other nerds...and he's technically in the running for valedictorian! LOL. I will repeat this until I no longer can, trust me. This is a moment for me, as I was what we could call...a student NOT in the running for valedictorian in HS.
• He also went to a karate seminar with both his cousins, one of whom flew in for the day, and one who took the day off. It was like old times! Poor Ryan was so pooped after the seminar (which followed two later night of taiko performances), that he came home, did his math class...and then passed out on his bed at 6:30pm! A first! Then the next day, he had to get up and go to work with his cousins...and then a family party. He was NOT happy at times, and there was a bit of teen ATTITUDE, but we got through it and he still lives with us for now. :-)

He also somehow went to play video games thrice in a month, when he hasn't gone once in probably six months! Once to a birthday, then with cousins, and a friend. He's working on his dancing skills!

Ry had a few low key Halloween events...one night he hung out with his friend while we were nearby at a Halloween party...where he was able to reprise his cheeseburger costume for the third year in a row. I have tried to get him to get a new one, but I am continually denied!

Rich and I had a few Halloween parties this year, so I decided to switch things up from a horribly uncomfortable 'geisha' costume (it landed as more 'cheap prostitute in an Asian red light district)...

...to the VERY comfortable senior citizen outfit I would wear annually, as I discovered that my new soft nightie also comes with POCKETS. Who knew seniors get pockets in their pjs?!

At one of the parties, someone made this bitchin' charcuterie board! She cut up brie to make a skull and then filled it WITH FIG JAM. Is this woman a genius or what?! I was so jealous and impressed!

Since we knew we'd be busy around Halloween, we hosted a small get together for a few of Ryan's friends- cookie decorating and pizza making!

Ryan also carved a pumpkin by himself on a day he stayed home with his cold... And this folks, is what a pumpkin in Hawaii looks like in less than 24 hours! I should have returned my pumpkin to Safeway for getting moldy so fast. ;-) Haha.

September, October and November have been the season for taiko performances! Off the top of my head? They've done: Higashihara Park Grand Reopening - Hongwanji Bon Odori -  NA Convention - West Hawaii Community Health Center - Lantern Parade - Kona Coffee Festival x 2...

Here are just a few pictures...

Best part was watching the kids dance at obon together. Super amazing to see the bonding of the team together and honoring/perpetuating their culture.

This convention crowd was the rowdiest we'd ever seen, and the wildest in all the best ways! They were so supportive and into the performance, that their energy was off the charts! Unforgettable event for all of us parents and kids! The kids were thrilled!

So Rich, Joel and I all ended up at a high school career fair event (without really knowing each other would be there)! It was hilarious! Sort of a cross town rivalry! On the upside, as a side benefit, we all got to spy on Ryan and his new friends a little bit! ;-) Every time that poor kid turned around he saw family staring at him!

Ryan's most recent performances have been pretty cool- they performed for the Kona Coffee Festival, and also marked in a Lantern Parade on the same night. Super fun for the kids, super tired parents...

They also performed at a community health center (where their instructor works), and they had a number of cultural youth performances that could bring tears to your eyes. The Marshallese opening song was particularly chicken-skin inducing. So impressive to see kids perpetuating culture where parents haven't been as successful, and to see them all SO GOOD at it.

So that's October and the first week of November in a nutshell. If it did not look chaotic, I assure you, it felt that way. I feel like I get by day to day, in a haze...and live for my next vacation. :-) 

But there is lots to look forward to in my favorite season and it's just getting started:

• Fall means holiday baking for teachers that I have neglected, and nurses! I have loaded up on pumpkin bread/muffin ingredients, enough for a small army! I just need time!
• Some very generous benefactors of our have just told us they're going to put us up in a swanky hotel one night this holiday season, after a bougie dinner. I am not used to such niceties, but feel so grateful and excited.
• I got some new kicks for running. This is just fun stuff. I don't take anything for granted.
• My mother and father are finally both feeling better after weeks of illness. My mom has had a rough go of vertigo, nausea, an ear infection, bronchitis, etc. It's been almost a month at this point.
• I have really thoughtful friends, old and new. They just make my world feel FULL. Family + work + good health are AMAZING, but friends really complete the package, you know? 
• We got Ryan a really cool Christmas gift that is both resourceful and something he'll like (tough to do). It was not cheap, but something that someone influential to him recommended...and we found one!
• My garden is coming back to life after months of neglect. I see basil, cherry tomatoes and eggplant galore! (pics below) Succulents are happy too, bought some news ones a month or two ago, and with potting soil, are very happy to have some love.
• Just remembering that even though my son is moody, quiet, rude, forgetful and messy...he's still a good kid over all. Stays busy, gets good grades, mostly polite to other adults (could work on his peer skills a bit), seems drug/alcohol free (hey, it's a victory), has great friends...which means he's doing something right. 
• So grateful for family. Always.
• Rich is helping me with a solar maintenance project tomorrow, and then doing a final walk through in a unit and changing out the lockbox. This saves me hours...and I appreciate it! He is my best helper/friend.

Just cleaning them for rat lung prevention...was able to fill about four quart sized ziplocs FULL for friends and family!

End of the orange season, but still plenty of eggplant despite having to compost 10 of them since they were overripe!

Succulents got some love (potting soil) and are also starting to say "Hello" after months of neglect.

So that's about it, folks. This was long, but there was plenty to share and be grateful for. Things are headed up and I am starting the month of gratitude a little early... ;-)