The Lost Hawaiian

2012 Bucket List

2012-02-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

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)

A Ryan fix

2012-01-29T14:26:00.000-08:00

Who needs a Ryan fix? Me & Ry's three grandmas, that's who!

On safari at school checking out other members of the female homo sapien species... ;-)

Aww mom...seriously?

Giant play dough sundae, anyone?

Happily reunited in the sand and dirt with his cousins (who just returned from Japan)...

Hilo to Volcano 50K Race Report

2012-01-28T07:43:00.000-08:00

Look how overjoyed I am! Look how Ryan...is not.

Where has the week gone? Yikes. I was so excited to post all about my run, but a week has passed and now that accomplishment already feels like...so last season. All that remains...is a huge, nasty, newly deflated blood blister on my big toe. ;-)

Since we got back from Hilo, everyday (& the whole week before) has been filled with renovation work. Even though my father (who once again, has been asked to served as our unpaid superintendent/contractor/plumber/electrician/painter/carpet tacking installer/Lowe's & Home Depot gopher) has done 95% of the actual work, we've all been insanely busy. I don't know that I've mentioned it here before, but we recently bought a small condo. The hope is that it will one day give us the option of downsizing and selling our other house in about 15-20 years (the proceeds of which can be used to supplement our retirement and help shore up Ryan's college fund). It's a bit of a stretch for us financially, which has been more than a little nerve wracking. I've spent a few nights biting my fingernails, going through receipts and freaking out about our dwindling savings. It's no secret that we had to pay through the nose on two other properties we sold over the last 3 years...but I don't want to cower in fear forever, so we're tentatively dipping our toes back into the market. Ultimately, we still think real estate is a relatively safe, rewarding investment (when done with advance planning/budgeting)...and lets face it- we have to be a little creative/gutsy with our estate planning since I'm no longer working F/T.

But enough about that...on to the race report!

The day before the race we drove out to Hilo to bunk at the glamorous and swanky hotel that is the Hilo Seaside (and yes, I am being sarcastic...but if you bully your two senior aged parents into each registering for a room with their AARP discount, the rooms are only $80 a night incl tax). Though Ryan spent the night next door with my parents, I got about the same amount of sleep I did the night before the Hilo Marathon last March, that is to say- about 3.5 hours. And that was after downing three Benadryls to try and make myself sleepy (clearly someone needs some horse-pill sized Xanax).

Rich and I woke up around 4:30am so I had time to get dressed and stuff a banana & Luna bar down my throat (I gagged the whole time because it's so hard to eat that early & when you're sleep deprived). We met my friend Karen at the starting line and took off at 5:30am, since anyone who anticipated taking longer than 6 hours to complete the race was permitted to start earlier. Here's a summary of how the mileage went down:

Miles 1-3: My flashlight conks out before we've even run 1/2 a mile...which would have been disastrous since it's pitch black. Thankfully, Karen shares her head lamp with me and we run huddled together for the next hour (and yes, like you, I am pretty sure she orchestrated the whole thing in order to snuggle with me...I am tough to resist when wearing a traffic safety vest). We haven't started the elevation climb yet, but its cool and pleasant, so Karen and I get to chat with each other and another runner. It's all quite pleasant, as running with Karen eases my anxiety and it feels like an ordinary Sunday run.

Miles 4-10: Once the sun rises, I am able to shed the increasingly warm, slightly embarrassing (required) reflective vest. But from about mile 4 on, reality quickly sets in, and there is nothing but hills, hills, hills. Well, as a spectator pointed out, technically, it's just one hill. ;-) But the volcano is a massive, unrelenting hill that just doesn't seem to end. I nearly weep when we see our first green elevation sign, because I was positive we had climbed 1,000 feet, but it only reads '500 feet.' Which means we're only 1/8 of the way there in elevation...very, very depressing.

Miles 11-15: Karen and I have stopped chatting as we labor up the hill. Normally, fifteen miles pass by quickly when I run with Karen. But not today. I notice for the first time (in the history of my running), that my hamstrings are super duper tight, and at mile 13, I start to panic when I get a painful, jarring and shooting pain in my right hip (which went away within a half mile).

Mile 16: At the point (roughly halfway), I'd run about 16 miles and covered around 2,000 feet in elevation. Because I'd done a pretty good job of conserving my energy for the grueling second half, I actually felt pretty optimistic as I bid Karen a fond Aloha since its her turn to crew for her husband.

[Sidenote: Rich was AWESOME from the minute the race started. He met me every 2 miles (individual runners were permitted to have their support crew stop at every odd-numbered mileage marker), ready with refilled water bottles, gels and occasionally, my salt pills and sunscreen. Not a fun job for anyone, for sure!]

Miles 17-26: The next 2,000 feet were covered in over 9 miles, vs. covering the same amount of elevation in over 16 miles for the first half. So the hills looked and felt steeper. Thankfully, I was psychologically prepared for them, but around mile 20- I was really starting to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the never ending hills. Even though my head and heart were in the right place, my legs just felt so heavy and dead. Negativity started to creep in at that point, and I made my first negative comment to Rich about "not having any juice left" and possibly having to just walk the rest of it in. I even calculated a new estimated finish time (7 hours) based on my exhaustion level. Without a doubt, miles 20-26 were the worst for me.

Miles 26-30: The course finally flattens out, but my legs still didn't register the difference for a mile or so and it was soooo depressing to have to pass by the finish line and know that I still had 4-5 miles left to run. :'( But around mile 29, I unexpectedly caught a second wind (first time ever!) and felt strong enough to pick up my pace to the finish.

Mile 31: From a few hundred feet away, I could see my sad, tearful exhausted little boy in my father's arms (he had spent the whole morning at the Kaiser clinic from a high fever the night before). My family warned me that he might not want to run the last hundred feet with me as planned since he had just been woken up (and then thrown up), but when I offer to carry him in, he leans toward me and we finish together. :-) Yay. 31.1 miles. 6 hours and 37 minutes. Not a time to brag about, but I'm thrilled- I am officially an ultra-marathoner! :-)

Lessons learned over 31 miles?

A little more training makes a big difference.
I have serious pre-race sleeping issues.
Cool weather running = less sweating/chafing = no screaming in the shower.
Blood blisters are not sexy.
The ostrich did not win. Take that you beady-eyed beast!

That's all the wisdom I can impart for now... ;-)

PS- Huge thanks to the Big Island Road Runners Club for putting on this awesome event for our little island!

Hilo to Volcano 50k Pictures...Race Report to follow!

2012-01-22T21:56:00.000-08:00

Do you remember this movie? This really happened on Saturday (Jo vs. the Volcano) - and in this case, the volcano won.

Ladies & Gents...I have good news and bad news. The good news-I am officially an ultra-marathoner! The bad news? I appear to have sprouted a sixth toe. Well, technically it's a giant blister on the side of my big toe, but it's so huge and ugly that it could pass for a sixth toe. So if you've got a foot fetish and also happen to be a fan of the idea that "more/bigger is better," then eat your heart out baby...because Aunty Jo has got a little sumthin' sumthin' for you to look at.

Here are a few pics of the day:

My friend Karen and I at the starting line. We are both aware that she looks like a coal miner, and that I look a traffic safety officer. Kind of like the lesbian version of the Village People...

Karen and I methodically picking off the boys, one by one... (just kidding, the relay teams started after us.) Please note the steep hill that we are running up.

A rare photo where due to combined optical illusion, trick photography and smoke and mirrors, my legs do not look stocky and man-like! Also, please note the steep hill that I am running up.

This smile, like most others, was purely for the camera. I grimaced the second the flash went off and resumed looking very depressed immediately thereafter. Oh, and did you happen to notice the steep hill that I am running up?

Crossing the finish line with my running partner (who had been both woken up and then thrown up in the minutes before this photo was shot, hence, the less than enthusiastic look on his face).

This race, as always, is dedicated to my race day support crew member, in-house RN, loving spouse and greatest cheerleader ever (you wouldn't believe his high kicks). (If you would like to touch my extra toe, I will let you.)

My time was 6:37, and I finished #19 out of 42. Surprisingly, I felt WAY better after this race than I did after the marathon in March, so I learned that even a small increase in training clearly can net big results. Make no mistake, I am still slower than molasses, but crossing that finish line fulfilled a dream I've had since '07.

Huge aloha & mahalos to the big man upstairs, our friends for their well wishes & notes of congratulations, my awesome family for both cheering me on & taking care of Ryan, my friend Karen for running with me both before and during the race...but most of all...to Richado-san.

I couldn't have done it without you. Your love and support make anything good that I do possible.

Three more days...

2012-01-18T16:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my final run before race day on Saturday. It hurt, and it was only three miles. So yeah, things look great for this weekend!

During my final run, two different people honked and waved at me, only to realize I wasn't who they thought I was. I used to wonder why this happened so much, and then I realized that as a short brown person with pulsating man calves that can pass for either male or female- it's easy to see why I look like pretty much everyone else. So I always wave back, because I don't want people thinking their Aunt Sheri or Uncle Glenn Miyashiro (inside joke for locals!) snubbed them. ;-)

I've been asked a few times if I'm excited about Saturday, and if I think I'm ready for the race. The answer to the first question is easy- yes. Unequivocally yes. I've dreamed of running an ultra for years, and I've been training 18 weeks for this. Envisioning myself crossing the finish line has gotten me through many, many very tiresome, hot runs. To be able to get to this point, injury-free is something no runner ever takes for granted. It's funny how every distance runner will start to walk around a little more slowly and gingerly the week before a race. I had a minor scare a few days ago when I hoisted Ryan up high to do something and felt a joint in my knee kinda pop. And because Ryan has had a fever the last 3-4 days, I got all worried again (I've decided that if I have a fever of >100.5 I'm still running, but anything above that is clearly God's way of telling me to stay in bed and eat chips. And gummy bears). Obviously.

But to answer the second question, which is do I feel ready/prepared. Noooo. I mean, I got in a few long runs, and I stuck to my very minimalist training program for the most part- but I certainly didn't prepare for the hills/elevation, and how can one ever prepare for heavy rain (Hilo & Volcano are very rainy areas)? (Not to mention the fact that Ms. Tubby gained three pounds on vacation.) So I'm definitely going into the race unprepared, but this was never about kicking a** and taking names. It's more about testing my physical and emotional limits and gaining self confidence. I want to run and feel strong for as long as I can vs. focusing on time.

Someone once told me that a race is not about running 26.2 miles or 31 miles, it's about the hundreds of miles you log in preparation of that race. So no matter how sleep deprived (from nerves the night before) and scared I may be at the starting line, I am determined to have a smile on my face, gratitude in my heart and a bounce in my step from all the miles logged and sacrifices made to get there. It will be good because I will make it good.

And don't think I forgot about this... Fellow ostrich bite victims, this run is for you.

Trip Out Takes

2012-01-14T16:24:00.001-08:00

Rich could not believe I took this picture, and called me a tourist. But anytime you can buy two little baskets of fresh strawberries for $5 (and not $7 each like we have at Safeway), then it warrants a picture in my book. All hail So Cal's roadside produce stands. You guys rock. Even if you aren't licensed, taxed or legal.

The playground posse

Ry Ry bonding with his 'cousin' Cassie

My brother Joey said that the Kardashian family isn't the only one who can pose for pretentious Christmas card photos...so we staged one too.

I like this one better though, much more obnoxious!

Eating popcorn with his Uncle at...where else? The circus!

Riding the monorail back and forth with Ryan was...well, boring. Thankfully, we were entertained by Ryan's manny!

Up...

...up...

...and away!!! (We're such class acts in a hotel.)

Highlights of the trip:
1. Ostrich bite, hands down. Hysterical.
2. Getting to see all of our family and friends at Kay's birthday and beyond...
3. Our Vegas getaway, super relaxing AND fun. Also, its where I discovered...mango and pineapple gummy bears (from New York New York's candy shop, a nightly visit for us)!!!
4. Stuffing ourselves with tamales, burritos, taco al carbons, quesadillas and chipotle bowls...viva la Mexico!!!
5. Legoland...Ryan loved it. We loved watching him love it.
6. My 10-mile trail run with David.
7. Spectacular weather everyday. (It's what we locals demand and expect, really.)
8. Getting to go to the Medieval Times-esque show I've been wanting to see for years!!! Kinda pricey, not something I would do again...but so glad we could do it.
9. Belgian waffles for breakfast almost every day...

Lowlights of the trip:
1. Cat allergies and itchy bug bites on my neck from an unknown insect.
2. Having to bail out of the RV in Tehachapi.
3. Pussing out on half my training runs.
4. Daily exhaustion...we usually didn't get to bed until around 11pm every night. Our little party animal was fine with this, Gramps and Gram not so much.

All in all, a great but tiring trip. Any trip is a good trip though, really. Some are just more successful than others, and this one rocked despite our crazy itinerary that included four planes, driving 1,400 miles, staying at five different hotels, two homes, and an RV, and of course- a rogue ostrich. :-)

PS- 7 days until my ultra...very excited!

Days 11-14 - Legoland hana hou!

2012-01-13T18:40:00.000-08:00

After spending the whole day at Legoland on Friday, we spent that night with Rich's mom Judy and his brother Dave & their family. And then on Saturday while I went for a run with Dave (oh how I *miss* car-free trail runs!), Ryan got to spend the day at two different parks with Grandma Judy. While there, he got to indulge in one of his favorite activities (something those tropical plants in Hawaii just don't seem to offer)- jumping in leaves! :-)

But on Sunday...it was back to Legoland!!! But this time, with Rich's best friend Tom & his family.

It always helps to go to the park with people who have annual passes...because somehow, we missed this ride the first day. For our train obsessed little guy- this was a horrific oversight.

And because we had cranked out all the rides on the first day there, we had plenty of time to hit the two parks on the second day! Sooo wish I had mad carpentry skills so I could build Ryan his own tree house someday.

What obnoxious parent would plop their child down into a Lego-made sarcophagus? One that would do the same herself. I have no pictures though, because I'm pretty sure the Cairo government frowns upon that sort of thing. And we've seen what they do to people they get angry at.

Ryan's first interaction with a Princess. She kept calling him "Prince Ryan" and he kept correcting her- "My name is just Ryan!"

Ryan and his homies...check out all those smiles!

Yo ho, yo ho.

We ended up leaving the park a little early so we could drive up to Lake Elsinore and spend a little time with Rich's "little brother" Chase and his girlfriend before heading further north up to Redlands for two nights (spending our final night in Los Angeles).

Rich with Chase, Becca and some little kid.

We stayed two nights in Redlands with our good friends, and because I used to work there, I also got to see a few of my favorite coworkers. :-) Ryan was happy because he got to stay in a house that if it had a name, would be "Toy Heaven."

As you can see, Ryan partied hard at Toy Heaven. Drinking and...yes...cough! cough! Driving too.

Toy Heaven not only had toys, but cute pets too. Here is Ryan and his betrothed showing him her guinea pig.

Days 9 & 10 - San Diego (& A Legoland Review)

2012-01-12T06:37:00.000-08:00

After driving from Las Vegas to Orange County (to see Rich's dad), we hauled okole over to San Diego so we could check in to our hotel. We're spending three nights in Carlsbad, since we'll be spending two days at Legoland (gotta let the island boy squeeze in his annual fill of theme park fun).

Having spent a full day at the park, here's my two cents review of the park:

It's no where near as crowded as Disneyland...which means no waiting in lines or having to take a shuttle to your car (ours was parked just a minute or two away from the front entrance).
It's no where near as polished as Disneyland...I saw rust, peeling paint, standing water in tree wells, rotting green waste and aging bathrooms throughout the park all day. This doesn't negatively affect your overall park experience, but its definitely the most rundown large-scale theme park I've ever seen.
Along those lines, the Legoland staff were not the bright, shiny fresh faces you see of the Disney cast. Half of the Legoland employees looked grumpy, tired, and bored (which is exactly how I would look if I had to stand around screaming, over-stimulated toddlers all day long). :-)
Miniland USA needs some serious capital infusion/improvements. The Lego-built buildings are over 10 years old and they look it. They're faded, neglected, dirty and half the mechanized stuff appears to be broken. The area is so sadly neglected that you have to wonder about the financial solvency of the park. Outside developers have added an aquarium, water park and now a hotel to the property, but day to day maintenance/standards appear to be sorely neglected.
The opening hours are way too short. Opening from 10-5 (seven hours passes by like the snap of a finger) and charging most visitors roughly $80 for the experience is a little high in my book. Our guess is that a toddler-focused park has found over time that opening later isn't cost efficient, but again- it just isn't enough time to experience the whole park in a single day, even without lines.
If you have a child under the age of ten, the park offers PLENTY to do all day. We hit nearly every ride and barely squeezed them all in...forget about having time to play in the water features or two large parks. It's awesome having a park geared toward this age group!
We added on the aquarium visit to our park entrance, and while it was definitely a nice place, it's nothing I would highly recommend if you've recently been to a few other aquariums. Nothing about it really stood out (though again, it's great if you have young children who don't regularly have access to ocean life). I was very disappointed that they had closed the Octopus Garden the night before, as that would have been a great, unique feature to see. :-( Even for us Hawaiians.
The bottom line- would I go back? With a younger child- absolutely. Ryan adored it, and the lack of crowds made it the most pleasant theme park experience I've ever had.

Here are a few photos from our first day at the park (by ourselves):

Without a doubt, the absolute most boring ride of the park (seen above) was Ryan's hands down favorite. So guess who got to ride it three times? Painful...very painful.

Ryan leading his air squadron through drills

He loved the log ride (& especially seeing daddy get wet).

My winning shot of the day! Whoo-hoo!!!

Our little daredevil went on his first roller coaster and 'dropping' ride (thank you Legoland for making the 'big kids' rides safe for ankle biters like Ryan) that day! He absolutely loved them!

Someone was over all the picture taking by the end of the day (hence this winning smile), but we *had* to get a shot to remember the park's famous Granny apple fries smothered in whipped cream by! De-li-cious.

It was pretty cool seeing the Vegas hotel we had just left (made out of Lego) at Legoland!

While on the lamest ride on Earth (for the third time that day), it broke down! Here we are walking off- Ryan was dismayed, I was...not.

Getting ready to enter the aquarium!

Ryan and I have sparkly, glow in the dark eyes! Sort of like fish...so appropriate, right? Apparently Microsoft Picture's red-eye corrector really only corrects red-eye and not sparkly, glow in the dark fish eyes...

We left Legoland at 5pm right it closed, and about 2 minutes later...this is what we saw in the backseat. :-)

Vegas, baby....Days 6-8

2012-01-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

Ryan enjoying the view of New York New York from our room at the Excalibur.

We just spent three fun-filled days packed with child-friendly activities in one of the most entertaining cities on the planet. Would you like to guess what my son loved best? Was it the nightly walks to look at the spectacular lights? Coasting around on his beloved monorail? Our hotel that resembled a castle? Playing game after game with Uncle Joey? Being serenaded on a gondola ride? Watching a medieval knight show?

No. It was riding the escalators. Oh, and shocking himself from walking on the carpet and then pressing the (metal) elevator buttons. He loved that too. ;-) A few pics from our trip:

Every night there we walked around for hours...but the first night there after exhaustively plopping himself in my arms and laying his head on my shoulder, Ryan muttered, "I want to go back to my castle..."

The hotel I look forward to visiting most every time I go to Vegas is hands down- the Bellagio. I love their nightly water show and award winning arboretum. However, there is now an official second place hotel that has captured my heart...the Cosmopolitan! Think pink and draped sparkly faux diamonds everywhere...love it! Even though I felt like an intrusive Beverly Hillbilly whenever we walked in, I also felt like I was just coming home, people...coming home.

Ryan and Uncle Joey took a gondola ride at the Venetian together...and I don't think I've ever seen Ryan so uninterested in something. :-) Yawn. I'm on a gondola. In Vegas. Yawn. And this man dressed in funny clothes is singing an aria to me in Italian. Yawn. Hey! Is that an escalator over there?!!!

Someone was a little late coming down to dinner with us and our cousin Chris at Bucca di Bepo one night, so he paid the price. We told our server it was his FORTIETH birthday (heh heh) and he got loudly serenaded by the entire restaurant. Sorry for the little white lie Bucca...he's not quite forty, but he looks it.

Okay, so I lied. Ryan did love this place as much as riding the escalators...the Lied Children's Discovery Museum. Specifically, he loved piloting the airplane there and going through security check again....and again. Apparently he LOVES emulating the friendly folks at TSA. Who knew they had a fan?

He also loved going 'shopping' at their grocery store...

Working as a car mechanic...

And then experiencing the hurricane simulator multiple times with mommy and daddy....

And later, at Uncle Joey's insistence of course, stripping down for a billboard photo shoot with his hunky Thunder from Down Under cast mates... Naomi, Nina & Alyssa...this one is for you!

Here's what he was NOT a fan of...the Tournament of the Kings show (Vegas' version of Medieval Times). Whenever the villain appeared the room would go dark, fireworks would go off, and an evil sounding voice would fill the room. Ryan wasn't keen on it. I liked the show, but for $70 pp I expected a little better than the cold ravioli and uncooked broccoli I got (I opted for the vegetarian option since I wasn't about to manhandle a whole chicken with my bare hands).

And after three nights of hanging out with Uncle Joey in Vegas, they bid each other a sad adieu...

California...Days 4-5 (Ryan getting spoiled by his godmother)

2012-01-03T06:55:00.000-08:00

First up on the agenda was a trip to Dave & Busters, where Ryan went on every single game in the joint that had a steering wheel on it.

Next up was a trip with Kathy & Tia Jackie to the Rainforest Cafe...which I planned because I thought Ryan would love. His review? "It's a little bit scary sometimes." Who doesn't think large, fake, robotic animals jerkily coming to life when it loudly thunders isn't cute? Oh yeah...toddlers.

The food took a while so I taught Ryan the art of kung fu (of which I am naturally blessed at of course). No one will ever steal a fry from him again without sorely regretting it.

I'm brown enough to pull this off, and apparently, Ryan is too. Homeboy looks pretty darn goooood with dreads, right?

Chugging along that evening at Victoria Gardens

I showed Ryan how to look gangsta so no one would enter our private clubhouse...

Then the happy white lady comes along and mucks up all my hard work...

I wish I could say this table full of vegan Thai food was for a party of six, but no...it was just for the three of us. :-)

Later that night we waddled over to Farrell's for a giant ice cream sundae! Well, we tried but were denied. It was over a one hour wait...so we sulked and left and went to Richie's instead.

There was no wait there! Happy faces!

On our last night there, Ryan loved his first ever banana split (everyone knows they're healthy because they have fruit in them).

California...A Recap of Days 1 - 3

2012-01-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! We've crammed quite a bit in these past five days- from sitting in our car parked on the 405 with the engine turned off (Welcome to LA!), Rich reuniting with all five of his brothers for the first time in over two decades, my huffing and puffing my way through a torturous 26-mile training run...and my getting getting mauled by and nearly disemboweled by an ostrich! So...ahem. Nothing out of the ordinary, really.

A quick summary and pictures of our trip so far...

Getting ready to jet...some of us dressed in style, some of us...not.

Days 1 & 2
After landing in LA on Tuesday, we spent the night at a hotel in LA before taking off early in the morning for Tehachapi...which I think translated into English means- "You know where BFE is? We're a lot further than that." We headed up there because Rich's stepmother Kay owns a cabin up there, and it was her 70th birthday. We had hoped to be able to spend three nights parked next to the cabin in her RV, but the heater crapped out on the first night and left us wimpy Hawaiians shivering our buns off in the 19 degree weather. So instead, we checked into a beautiful hotel right near a train depot/museum that made one little boy very, very happy.

Kay with her six boys at the party...reunited and it feels so good.

Ryan with two of his sweet cousins Riley & Macey

Day 3

Our third day in CA I woke up at 5am to run my second 26-miler. I can't say I was excited about having to wake up so early and run in the freezing cold, but I do admit I was looking forward to running without sweat dripping from every pore. For years I have told myself (& others) that my lack of speed is mainly due to my having to run in such high humidity. So I assumed I would probably run at my true, faster speed that day in the much cooler weather.

Fact: Jolene is NOT faster in cooler weather. Jolene runs hunched over, shivering, gasping for breath with short choppy steps in colder weather...with fingers so frozen that in order to take on/off on her running gloves, she has to use her teeth like a savage beast.

Brief side note here on my final long run of the season- That run totally depressed me. The first hour I ran stiff and scared...I was freezing and couldn't see more than a dimly lit foot in front of me (mini LED flashlights don't quite cut it in pitch black darkness). So I awkwardly dodged gopher holes and tumbleweed remnants, and even accidentally 'ice skated' on some frost-covered sidewalk. Hours later, even after downing a few double shots of caffeine I still felt stiff and awkward...at no point did I ever feel confident or strong. [Later, Rich & Joey would point out that my running at a 4,000 foot elevation probably had something to do it with...but pshaw. Whatever. I felt like such a loser and it made me totally not want to run the ultra anymore.] If in fact they had a point, great. But I'm officially back to being freaked out about it.

After my long run, I quickly showered so we could head over to the local ostrich farm with some family. I didn't have any expectations, really- so I was very, very pleasantly surprised by the informative tour. Consider me brainwashed- ostriches are fascinating creatures! But make no mistake- lurking beneath their goofy-looking innocence lies a vicious beast. In the 25-year history of the farm, we learned that not a single ostrich has ever been harmed by a mountain lion, bear or coyote...as they have razor-sharp toes that can swiftly disembowel predators much larger than them.

So happy, so naive...before the grisly, bloody attack.

I can only assume that I am one of the few known creatures on Earth to have survived a savage ostrich attack. I know that I am truly lucky to be alive and pecking out this entire post on my laptop with my nose (as all my digits were practically ripped from my arm). So without further ado...I present a video taken by Rich (originally intended to document our sweet son feeding them), entitled- When ostriches attack.

Warning: Rated R for graphic violence.

Now that you've seen the gore and can clearly see that I have not in any way been exaggerating the severity of the attack, I think you're ready to handle the photographic evidence (which has already been submitted to my attorney as Plaintiff's Exhibit A):

Sometimes I still wake up at night screaming.

So as I'd mentioned before- even though hours earlier I'd been running and wanting to quit the ultra...clearly I cannot. I must run for myself and all the other ostrich victims of the world. They need me. I must not let the ostrich win.

Lock me up, those apple wedges are mine

2011-12-28T06:42:00.000-08:00

Though I always wish for a chill travel experience, I rarely get it. Sometimes, like on our trip to NYC, I puke uncontrollably and get scolded for using too many puke bags (and yes, two years later, still bitter). Anywho, yesterday's travel experience was fairly delightful. Not only did we fly on a brand new Airbus jet (lovely commodes, high tech seats), but we got to move our seats together (we were all apart at one point) and Ryan was a real peach.

The only little hitch was the repeated stern lecturing I got from some off-duty Agricultural agent at the gate for "sneaking" contraband produce into the terminal. And by "sneaking" she would be referring to the fact that I PUT MY BAGS THROUGH AGRICULTURE security twice and it passed right by them...I wasn't hiding or sneaking anything.

Okay, maybe I was. But seriously, I wasn't going to declare that I had some washed, peeled apple slices for my son because they would have seized it. And I knew it wasn't going to be an issue because I've done this about eighty times. It's just not a big deal, I don't think Ag cares all that much about what leaves the island, it's more about what comes in. I also don't see the point of why ag would worry about produce simply returning to the land where it was grown. I was simply taking it back home, GO TO YOUR HOME! (Sorry, Happy Gilmore reference.)

So we're standing at the gate, munching on some apples when she marched over and told me I had better finish all those apples right there at the gate because she was shocked, and just could not believe that I had managed to 'sneak' them past Agriculture. I politely thanked her for concern, and kept munching away. A few minutes later, just in case I was too dumb to understand her earlier instructions, she reiterated that we would have to eat all of the fruit, right there. I replied that we would, and turned away to roll my eyes. Seriously woman. Get a life. But she wasn't quite done yet, because unable to stop herself, a few minutes later she offered to throw away any remaining apples we might have had, because really, it was no trouble at all. At which point she reminded me that we weren't supposed to have them there... because it was against Agriculture rules. You know, in case I didn't know.

At this point I wanted to take my contraband, terrorist apples and shove them down her throat. But I smiled and pointed to the trash can ten feet away and said that we could handle it ourselves. I could tell she was about ready to have a stroke, but thanks to the unwritten code amongst Asians, neither of us was going to create a scene, so we did what Asians do best- we silently seethed at each other.

Because she was clearly watching us like a hawk, a few minutes later I loudly asked Rich to throw them away, secretly hoping that he would not. And while I will neither confirm nor deny that he disobeyed a direct order from an off duty United States of America Agricultural Agent tasked with securing our borders against alien apple wedges...I will say that I was very pleased with his decision.

The moral to this story? Unless you want your mug alongside mine in the Agriculture Office, steer clear of smuggling any illegal apple wedges onto the plane. Trust me, it's a problem. So not worth the prison time.

Goodbye gluttony..hellooo California!

2011-12-26T20:29:00.000-08:00

Ryan and his Christmas morning loot...(largely due to his two Grandma's who always go overboard)!

And the Award for Best Gift goes out to...that very special someone who saw my blog post and got me what I wanted this season...a giant gummy bear! Friggen' awesome, right?

Every year I swear to spend, bake and eat less, and while I failed miserably at the latter two, it was worth all the love and laughter we shared with our Big Island friends and family. So we're very excited to be heading out west at the crack of dawn to see our California friends and family tomorrow!

This year we're packing a little more cargo since I'll be in running a few days each week while we're up there.. Even though my last training update was back in the second week of November (week #9 of 19), I continue to plod along (currently in week #16) & complete most of my scheduled workouts. So if all goes well, exactly ten days after we return, I'll be at the Bay to Volcano starting line (feeling nervous, terrified and sick to my stomach, but that's okay...as long as I get there)!

The Magic of Santa

2011-12-24T12:29:00.000-08:00

Four years ago, Rich was asked to step in as Santa for Ryan's preschool. It was so last-minute that he didn't even have Santa-appropriate shoes to wear, so Santa had to explain to the kids why he was wearing rubber slippers (it was just 'sooo hot' in Hawaii...they bought it).

Each year, Santa has found ways to improve his role. This year Santa not only wore reading glasses (clear vision be damned!) for better authenticity & disguise, but he also entered the room playing the ukulele and singing along with the kids to "Jingle Bells!" It rocked! A look back in time at the evolution of Santa...

Santa 2008 (The Year Santa wore rubber slippers)

Santa 2009 (The year Ryan refused to make eye contact)

Santa 2010 (The Year we thought the gig was up)

Santa 2011 (The Second Year we thought the gig was up)

Needless to say, our little boy is still an adorable, clueless wonder. But will the bearded, bespectacled, fat man in red be able to pull this off for another year? We'll just have to wait and see. :-)

Rockin' our finest Christmas apparel

2011-12-23T23:20:00.000-08:00

Heading out to a friend's Ugly Christmas Sweater Party (but we couldn't find any sweaters in Kona, so we improvised)!

Thank you, dad!

2011-12-22T09:46:00.000-08:00

Whoo-hoo! Only 3 days until Christmas!!! Celebrate!

Here's a little not-so-secret-factoid about me- I love to plan ahead for the holidays. I derive a secret, somewhat smug pleasure in not having to completely stress out and fight the crowds every holiday season. So a few days ago, I was kinda surprised that when I asked Ryan what he wanted for Christmas, my passive, not-so-direct Ry Ry admitted that, "Maybe I want a bike or something."

I wasn't totally surprised, because his cousins Keni & Riki and friends Naomi & Noah have them. But I hadn't gotten him one because as of earlier this month, he wasn't exactly zipping around on the barely used tricycle we'd bought him...so I figured we'd try to get him to use it until his 4th birthday, and then spring for a new bike then.

But that was three weeks ago.

Ryan is now flying out the backyard on an old trike (still not the one we paid for, of course), enthusiastically crashing into my parent's laundry pole and howling with delight. And the other day he quickly figured out how to ride his friend's 'big girl' bike with training wheels. Which means mama is in trouble, because Ryan is clearly ready for "a bike or something." I figured it would be no big deal to get one since we hadn't bought him a present anyway (he gets enough from others), and Kona doesn't have crushing hoards of people trampling over each other for Leap Pads (discounted Spam is another story). And with three big box retailers, surely one would have a little bike without sparkly pink unicorns all over it. Not that Ryan wouldn't have TOTALLY loved that. Case in point (& brief side bar):

The other day I looked around and noticed that someone had 'decorated' the entire living room with his ever growing beaded necklaces collection (thanks, mom)!

You gotta admit, it does spruce the place up a bit.

But back to finding a bike...

So I quickly hopped online, and saw a whole lot of these messages- sold out, sold out, sold out, sold out. There were larger, much pricier versions of similar bicycles available, but $96 for a teensy, tiny little bike Ryan would surely outgrow in 6 months? It seemed a bit extravagant, and certainly not something that thrifty, little Ms. She-who-plans-ahead would want to have to buy. So I did what I had to do whenever I find in myself in this kind of pickle. I pulled out the big guns.

I called my daddy.

This is the man who has procured every car we've ever purchased, always for less than we'd ever imagined, usually with an accompanying invitation to the car salesman's house for dinner anytime he wanted. The man who has gotten every airline ticket change fee we've ever needed waived (with an upgrade to the executive lounge and business class of course). Daddy don't mess around.

So once I called, guess who hopped into his truck with my mother that very minute and then came rolling back up the driveway in less than an hour with a bigger, badder bike than I ever would have dreamed of, in the right size, that my father somehow talked his way into getting for a little more than a third of the listed price?

Wayne. That's who.

So dad, I officially forgive you for making us get red ant bites while pulling weeds at ungodly hours on the weekend (when most other children were happily guffawing at the Flintstones)...for making us run and fetch you the remote control because it was four whole feet away from you (even though we were 20 feet away)...for making me move a giant pile of cement dust from one side of the front yard to the other and than deciding that yeah, it was probably better off where it was earlier, so go ahead and move it back...for asking us the same question six times in five minutes anytime any NFL game was being televised...for paying us well below child slave labor wages to move rocks and then still being stingy about granting us the occasional thirst-quenching Tang breaks...

Thankfully, all of your work ethic and sacrifice has rubbed off and rewarded you with a 37-year old, semi-unemployed daughter that continues to live in your home, mooches off of you (thanks for the beef stew bowl the other day!), and makes unreasonable requests that you find her son a highly coveted bicycle only four days before Christmas. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

The big baller himself with his 'two girls' at dinner the other night...

Learning how to play Angry Birds from Young Ryan...

The actual birthday boy of the night!

Did someone call 911?

2011-12-20T16:28:00.000-08:00

Bringing it home...

2011-12-20T06:34:00.000-08:00

Donning our finest, sparkliest gay apparel for the festive Jingle Bell Run

This past Sunday was the Jingle Bell Run, and once again, our little guy entered the one-mile distance and finished it in 17:49. Taking into account the nasty spill he took just before the finish line in the previous race (that likely cost a good 30-seconds), this means he had an improvement of roughly 8 seconds from the Wobble & Gobble. Whoooo-hoooo! Break out the sippy cups and apple juice! Mama and daddy are so, so proud! :-)

A few pics of the super duper fun day:

Because our zippy little boy doesn't stop (not entirely true, but...), every picture we have of race day is a blur!

Ry Ry approaching the finish line and finishing strong!

A final PS (and just what you've all been waiting for)....a Toe Update!!! Though I'm still growing out 2 toenails lost during the Hilo Marathon last March, I have just lost two more. My toes have never looked finer. And by finer, I mean more disgusting. Still, they're kind badges of honor, you know? Like scars. You earned 'em. So I'm not painting over them, they're there to say- Mama ain't fast...but mama can run until her toenails turn purple and die! I better trademark that, because THAT is clearly a winner of a marathon t-shirt quote!

Lessons from the Master (for you...grasshopper)

2011-12-17T20:40:00.000-08:00

I survived! The Cliff Notes version of the run- woke up at 4am, started running at 5:30 with my friend Karen (while using a flashlight), felt pretty tuckered out by mile 16 (never a good sign), remedied that with increased gels and salt tablets, caught my second wind around mile 20 and finished feeling much better than I ever have after doing a 26-mile run. Still, I wouldn't call the run a total success...painful lessons were learned. But in the spirit of giving, I will share them with you.

Lesson #1- No stuffing your face the night before a marathon. You know how you're not supposed to pig out the night before a race? Today I found out why. Like, four times why. Last night I went to another one of Rich's Christmas parties, and some sick saboteur decided to serve up some delectable stuffing baked with cranberries! And oranges! And mac nuts! Let's just say that I was quite liberal in serving myself that and about fourteen other delicious things to eat...more than once. Needless to say, I waddled out of the party moaning about my distended belly and cursing my lack of self discipline (and especially with such a long run pending). This morning I woke up to my stomach gurgling and consequently- made many, many, many, many (count 'em) potty stops. It was very uncomfortable, and definitely not recommended. Ms. Piggy has learned her lesson.

Lesson #2- No tissue blotting while in the can. During one such potty stop, I happened to be profusely sweating and decided to lightly blot off some of the sweat with toilet tissue so it wouldn't run into my eyes. A baaaad, bad idea. Because as I learned today, when you're that sweaty- there is no such thing as 'light blotting.' The tissue just disintegrates all over your face, so that approximately 267 little pieces are left stuck all over your cheeks (which you would know if you actually had a mirror on the wall...and I did not). I found this all out a few hours later when I returned my car and saw a bunch of white, dried tissue still nicely adhered to my face. I'm sure the dozens of passersby and motorists just assumed I had a rough time shaving off my beard this morning. So ladies and gents- no sweat blotting while in the can.

Lesson #3- Save the bikini bottoms for the beach. Do you know why triathletes do not run wearing bikini bottoms under their tri-shorts? I do now. I quickly figured it out after I got in the shower post-run and howled from the numerous raw, chafed areas that I will refrain from mentioning in any detail because this is a family-friendly blog site. So take note of this equation: Generous application of Body Glide + excessive sweating in humid weather = CHAFING EVERYWHERE (private areas NOT excluded).

Feel free to thank me in person for my bountiful, overflowing heart with gifts of gold, frankincense & myrrh, or better yet, a gift certificate to the Cheese Palace (I'm not sure if such a place exists, but if it does, I definitely want to be there). Just not the night before a long run.

Gearing up for Christmas

2011-12-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

It's not a bad life being Ryan M...

About a year ago I started the nightly bedtime ritual of telling Ryan the next day's schedule. It not only put a smile on his face and filled with him anticipation, but more importantly, I thought it helped prepare him for what to expect the next day. However, over time, I've come to notice that whenever a day's planned events do not sound enticing enough, he sighs with disappointment and then prods me to add to the day's activities, even offering a few "helpful suggestions". Say what, kid?! (If I were to have told my father that our day sounded, well...rather lackluster, and that what we really should be doing is going to the beach and then out for ice cream...well, I would still be lisping from the loss of my two front teeth.)

Nonetheless, this week Ryan had so much fun that not even he could complain about it, since he got to see friends every single day of the week. :-) A definite rarity, but let me tell you- there is nothing little Ryan M. loves more than playing with his friends. A few shots from the week:

Making his first ever gingerbread house at Aunty Suki's park playgroup (which we both partially consumed moments later)... Should we have preserved it to take home, coo over and admire until Christmas? (Whoops.)

Rockin' his new haircut...complete with a little flipped up, gelled section of hair in the front. Gotta keep those ladies happy.

My little baller...he sunk exactly one basket (out of maybe 50). Good enough for the Asian NBA!

Being a scary 'brown ghost' (or unless they converted without me knowing...wearing a burqa) with his future bride...

I'm pretty sure I'm going to heaven now

2011-12-14T20:58:00.000-08:00

I admit it. After posting about wanting an air popcorn popper yesterday, I found myself gazing longingly at one today at Macy's. I've seen it a few times now, and have been casually checking it out. You know...introducing myself, seeing if we have chemistry together, gauging whether or not we want to spend our Friday nights together, and assessing whether I'm just attracted to the machine's sexy good looks (vs. its true content on the inside).

What made it so tempting was that it was on sale for only $17.99 (from $30). I had an angel perched on one shoulder sweetly whispering, "You're supposed to be saving money...Christmas isn't about gifts...Baby Jesus wants you to give the money to starving children instead..." And on the other shoulder sat the little red devil (who sounded a lot like my brother Joey) snarling, "It's only $17.99! Your husband should be so lucky to get away with getting you such a cheap present! Other women buy themselves expensive purses! Shoes! Make up! Perfume! You wear 6-year old stretched out underwear with the elastic poking out! You TOTALLY deserve this popcorn popper!!! Heck! You should get THREE!!!"

I figured I'd let fate decide and see whether or not I could use a coupon to get it. But when I found out the answer was "No" (you can't use Macy's coupons on anything electronic), I heard the little devil chime in again, "Psst! Isn't microwave popcorn supposed to be harmful? You're exposing your toddler to all those chemicals?! If you love your child, you'll totally get the air popper!"

Guys, if I haven't been abundantly clear about this in the past- I LOVE popcorn. Back in the day, I used to make my own poor college student/ghetto version of the Hawaiian Hurricane (coconut oil, furikake, arare sprinkled on popcorn) in my studio apartment (which may or may not have had something to do with me gaining like 10 lbs that year) with an air popper I found on clearance at Longs for like $4.99.

So as I stood in front of that popper, I had plenty of legitimate, selfless reasons to get it- it was on sale, the economy needed stimulating, Rich was so lucky I'm a cheap date, Ryan's delicate little lungs needed protection...

But I didn't get it.

Not because I'm a martyr who intends to give all the money to the Salvation Army instead (I actually just got educated on how anti-gay their employment record is, and as an HR professional and lover of all gays...I just can't have that*)...but because I really do want to preserve the spirit of Christmas as it was intended- it's not about gifts for yourself.

*I really was going to give some extra $ to the Salvation Army a few days ago, but once I read about their record of discrimination, I gave the $ to the Human Rights Campaign (equality for all!) instead...tee hee. I swear, I'm not bashing the thousands of hard working, beautiful, kind souls who volunteer to ring bells/collect for the SA, nor am I bashing the compassionate work that they do... I'm not even saying I won't let my little boy continue to drop some cash into the kettle whenever he sees it (its just not the right time to explain to him why we would stop). I would just rather support charities that make a more concerted effort to treat everyone on this planet equally- black, white, old, young, disabled, able bodied, sexy, ugly...you get the idea. ;-)

So Merry Christmas to me. No pretty red and white air popcorn popper, but I'd much rather see my LGBT sisters and brothers get married in my lifetime than pop some corn a few times a month. And if you're as confused as I am about how buying an air popper became a gay rights issue, join the club (regardless, I highly recommend that you also not buy one so your gay friends can get married too)!

Christmas Wish List 2011

2011-12-13T13:20:00.000-08:00

The past couple of years I've created a silly, whimsical (because truthfully, I really do have everything I'd ever dare ask for) online Christmas wish list here. It's mama's time to dream. So without further ado...get your pen and paper handy, because here's the list for 2011!

I get to have one totally irrational wish, right? Right. So I vote for a classy little number that runs around $5,000. I've already totally convinced myself that owning such a beauty will totally cure me of all insomnia & stress, and possibly even make me thinner and better looking.

It's my Pretend List, so I can ask for something that I want for my son, right? I fell in love with this little metal cart (Melissa & Doug toys are the best ever) when I first saw it a few years ago, and am kicking myself not having bought it then. Shopping carts are the kind of toys that kids play with from the moment they can walk until probably at least 5 years old...one of the few toys that will keep your child entertained beyond a week. :-) If I had this, I can totally envision using it to do our grocery shopping (we do it on occasion with our cheap, flimsy plastic one) and I swear, we would keep it forever.

I love my new Nike Live Strong shoes, but would prefer them in a slightly more girly color (I have the men's in gray/yellow and feel about 60 years old when I wear them). But at $160 a pop and my hitting top speeds of only up to 6mph (which doesn't justify buying ANY shoe over $7.99)...soooo not gonna happen until we win the lottery. Or Lance Armstrong falls in love with me and agrees to share me with Rich and become a Brother Husband.*

*If you don't know what a Brother Husband is, you clearly have not been watching TLC's Sister Wives. I will try not to judge you.**

**This is hard to do. It's a fascinating show.

I would love, love, loooove a dwarf avocado tree that yields creamy, buttery avocados for me and all the world's children (I thought adding that last part would make me look more festive and giving).

A 5 lb. gummy bear - I just saw this a few days ago in my mom's Real Simple magazine, and now I am completely besotted. Further research (clearly I spend my free time wisely) reveals that it takes about 1,400 gummy bears to make this one giant one, which is the equivalent of 12,000 calories. So I'm sold! I'm in! I'm in! I'd like a red one please.

There's something about a faux-vintage air popcorn popper that fills me with nostalgia...I can totally see myself pouring melted butter all over it...and then sprinkling a handful of salt on it just to ensure I've clogged my arteries enough to have shaved 6 months off my life.

Even though I won't get a single item, its funny how simply posting them is almost as fun as getting them (which is why I do it every year)! Because I suppose if I really, truly wanted them, I could always work, save, sacrifice, whine or beg for them...which is why sometimes, it really is more fun to dream.

Sayonara Ken-kun & Riki-chan!

2011-12-12T07:45:00.000-08:00

Keni & Riki left for Japan yesterday, but we made sure to fill their last few days here with Christmas festivities. On Friday night the three boys got to open their stocking stuffers from my parents.

Instead of stockings (not yet unpacked), Santa used festive plastic bags from Longs Drugs.

Thank you for the candy canes, Santa! (Next time, bring him some insulin to go with it.)

Later that night the boys invited Ryan over for his first sleepover with them (since my poor innocent brother and sister in law still had no idea about how hyper he gets at night when camping with his cousins). They know now though...because Ryan outlasted all of them that night. Although my brother reported a few tears and sniffles around 11:30pm, Ryan toughed it out and stayed over the whole night!

The next day it was time for the annual Christmas parade! Though they were all slightly delirious from the late night sleepover the night before, Ryan & his cousins met a few of his friends there early to stake out a spot...look how cute and festive they all look! [Please feel free to also admire the cute popcorn boxes I ordered from Amazon too!]

It's kinda funny looking at pics of a Christmas parade when everyone is wearing shorts, tank tops and slippers! :-)

After the parade, we took the three (wired on parade-candy) boys out for their last spam musubi dinner (for a very long time)!

Of course we had to get a few silly photos in...

It's just how we roll.

The next morning we got up early to host a goodbye breakfast for the boys (per Mika's instructions- oil-free for reduced vomiting on the flight). The poor girl has two boys who despite flying internationally quite regularly- suffer from motion sickness. :-)

Right after they left for the airport, we hit Macy's so Rich could get a few things he needed.

Ryan got bored waiting for daddy so he found a fun place to hang out and have a snack.

After returning home for our annual pre-Christmas cleaning throughout our cluttered home, I did a quick Sunday long run (though not so long this weekend, only 11 miles) and met the boys at the pool before baking five batches of banana bread. This is only about a third of what we baked!

Mama's about to collapse

2011-12-09T06:41:00.000-08:00

Stop the holiday train...I'm about to fall over. This has been one of the busiest weeks ever, but I'm not complaining, because I wouldn't trade it for anything. Not even for more sleep. (Okay, maybe for more sleep...) The day started with an early morning ride on a school bus with Ryan's preschool (if you've never done this, I recommend ear plugs and a Valium), a trip to the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel to see the Festival of Trees, Santa and some sharks, turtles and giant ulua, an unplanned stop at The Shops at Mauna Lani to let Ryan frolic around in the water fountain, a picnic lunch, and finally, a stop at the Hilton Waikoloa to ride Ryan's beloved trains. After a stop at home so Ry could nap, Rich coached student-driver Ryan (Geico has already dropped him after 3 days of coverage), while I squeezed in a 10-mile run before all meeting at the park at dusk so Ryan could pump his little legs on his tricycle for half an hour (and give us both mild heart attacks wildly careening around near precipitous drop offs).

A few pics of the day that aged me...

Ryan's first time on a school bus!

Still half asleep from being woken up literally five minutes before this pic was taken...but ready to roll and as always....ready to follow the rules. After being told by the driver to not move from his seat or to eat anything while riding, he shrunk back in horror and scolded me with a, "No, mommy...no!" when he saw the apple slices in my bag. I assured him the bus driver said it was okay (hope Santa wasn't listening to that one) since they weren't messy. Mother of the Year!

My favorite tree of the day...and the only truly Hawaiian-looking Christmas tree of the bunch! Aloha au ia oe!

My other favorite not-so-Hawaiian Christmas tree...bright pink and covered in candy and cupcakes!

Santa looked very hot. He had a fan blowing on him. That makes two of us who could use a fan on us all day, big man.

Checking out the koi at the hotel, greedily and hungrily surrounding Ryan and as he put it- "They want my candy cane, mommy!"

The best part of the day- encouraging a hesitant Ryan to get wet in his street clothes and then watching him go NUTS.

I'm pretty sure this part of the fountain isn't part of the designated 'splash area' (I got this impression from the "No swimming" sign posted off to the left, but perhaps I read this wrong). So because that sign was obviously very vague and confusing...I let him be. He was having too much fun. (Mother of the Year award again!)

See what I mean? Is this not hysterical?!

Getting ready to ride the rails at the Hilton Waikoloa with Grandma while mommy parks the car four hundred million yards away in the free parking lot (do not judge me...it's $15 otherwise).

Laughing at life (& Ryan)

2011-12-08T09:35:00.001-08:00

I've been wanting to make banana breads for weeks...so a few days ago, three bunches (this is only two of them) ripened all at at the same time. Haven't had much success finding a recipe that calls for 200 ripe bananas. ???

Whee!!! Lovin' the new wheels from Uncle Jon, Aunty Mika & Aunty Kathy!

The Three Musketeers!

The boys self-proclaimed "parade" (all three rode in circles and waved). I called it "bumper cars" since Ryan kept crashing into everybody. Let's just say the car has already suffered a number casualties already, and that it would be very wise for us to get a very low deductible.

Puttering out...

2011-12-06T23:02:00.000-08:00

Today just about tuckered this gal out. Rich has been gone the last three nights at work and Improv, so I've been burning the candle at both ends (& shamelessly bumming free childcare off my family when it gets to be too much). This morning Ry and I started out by heading off to preschool, and then...

He begged to hit up Macy's again...so what else could I do? The boy loves to shop.

Just kidding. But we really did go to Macy's and a few other stores so we could get some birthday and Christmas gifts...because tonight was my brother Jon's 40th birthday! Well, technically it's not until a few days before Christmas, but because Mika and the boys are always in Japan at that time, we celebrate both his birthday and Christmas early every year before they leave.

We gave Jon the snazzy gift in the Cars gift bag. Clearly not a re-gifted gift bag. Nope!

As soon as we got home from shopping, I was busy wrapping gifts, slicing up fruit for a platter and making Jon's birthday cake...a Christmas tree!

Since 40-year old's have a reduced lung capacity and tend to get out of breath easily, he had a few helpers.

After Jon's birthday, we smoothly transitioned right into Christmas! Rich had to run to Improv class, so Ryan got to open his gift from Aunty Kathy & his cousins first so that daddy could watch him open it (& assemble it...since mama don't go there).

At this moment, he has just been told he is being given his own refrigerator...he is thrilled!

And at this moment, I think he realized (like his parents) that he's not wearing any pants...again. ;-)

The exact moment when we opened the box and he realized it was not a refrigerator... Seriously, the kid was so happy to get his own refrigerator I think the car was almost a let down!

Cliche, but oh so true- they loved the box more than the car!

What's up ladies? Wanna take a ride with Ry Money? I got some juice boxes and goldfish crackers in the trunk!

So it's 10pm, and I'm officially all tuckered out. Not everyone celebrates a birthday and Christmas on the same night...just us and Jesus. ;-)

Things I am grateful for today...

2011-12-04T20:28:00.000-08:00

Round 3 of Christmas baking (peanut butter cookies) is done! Rounds 1 & 2 were chocolate chip cookies and peppermint brownies...and yes, I'm already aware of how innovative and unique my baking is. Rounds 4 & 5 will be banana bread and chocolate dipped pretzels, two other things I'm sure no one else has ever done before.

[Side note: One thing I really am proud of...ALL of our baked goods containers were recycled/upcycled this year! First time ever!]

To the wonderfully kind woman (from my son's preschool) who had me slather her lavender oil all over my chest and the back of my neck after puking on the boat yesterday...it may have been a coincidence, but I felt better immediately afterward. Thank you for caring and sharing.
Getting to spend part of the last two days with such an incredibly awesome friend...the older I get, the more I love, love, love hanging out with positive people!
My husband watching Ryan all morning so I could get my long run in (& never making me feel guilty about it)!
My husband working tonight...he's tired, I'm tired, but he's doing it so the three of us can live a better life. Thanks for taking one for the team, Rich...over and over again.
Doing my first ever run with a friend (it's taken five years!) this morning...it was AWESOME. Karen and I have completely opposite body types (she's tall, slender and lithe, I'm short, stumpy and Jackie Chan-like), but somehow, we manage to run comfortably together at the same pace. Loved our conversation today, her wonderful sense of humor and am soooo excited to be doing the same race together in a few months! :-) It will be nice to root for someone else out there that day and know that she's pulling for me too.
For having finished my Christmas cards and wrapping already...please don't hate me. It's because I'm anal retentive. If it makes you feel better, I pay dearly for this productivity in the form of hypersensitivity, severe anxiety and horrific insomnia (I'd much rather be late with this stuff and sleep more).
Twinkling Christmas lights...whether they're on my tree or someone's house, they just put a smile on your face and in your heart. Huge kudos to the folks who climb up on their house each year to string lights and light up the sky for others...
Caffeine. I don't drink soda. tea or coffee, but without caffeinated gels on runs I would never, ever in a million years run farther than a 5k. ;-)
Finishing my long run today (longest training run ever...24 miles)! Hollah atcha girl! (Thanks.)
Wireless internet. It's why I can type this while laying in my bed next to Ryan while naps.
And along that note...there is nothing finer than the sound of my son slurping noisily on his thumb while he's fast asleep ;-)
My mother for always doing arts and crafts projects for Ryan. If it were up to me, Ryan would enter kindergarten not knowing a cotton ball from a pipe cleaner, but sadly, he would know how to neurotically/neatly line up his shoes, create a basic Excel spreadsheet and count calories. Oy.

Sailing away

2011-12-03T20:02:00.000-08:00

This morning we set off to Home Depot for a quick winter craft project before heading down to the Keauhou Pier for Fairwinds Cruises 40th Anniversary celebration. On the way there, I drugged Keni, Riki & yours truly (since we're all notoriously prone to motion sickness). And because I also happen to be an expert on such matters- I carefully instructed both boys on the art of puking quietly, neatly and discreetly while on the boat (which really...is the best type of automotive to puke in if given the choice). ;-)

Fortunately, both boys responded well to their Japanese motion sickness medication...but I learned the hard way that half a Bonine doesn't always cut it. I won't say elaborate any more other than to say that I am thankful Fairwinds has such lovely on board toilets and a locking door. :-)

As we walked to the pier I couldn't help but snap this pic of the boys in front of all the canoes. Even though I've lived here most of my life, sometimes I still have to pinch myself at the sight of such simple, island beauty.

Keni started the trouble by announcing he was going to show off his "chi chi's" (Japanese for boobs), & copycats Riki & Ryan quickly joined in as well. I love, love, love my silly boys!

Pictures are far and few between of our time on the boat because I was pretty much green the second I got on board and soooo not in the mood to corral the kids for a forced photo shoot.

This photo was actually taken pre-pukefest, but as you can see, I put on a good front! I felt horrible, but was able to help watch the kid(s) so that Rich could catapult off the high platform and ride down the two-story slides with Keni & Riki.

The three musketeers...well, there were actually five musketeers, but I didn't want to post pics of our friend's kids without their permission. :-)

So while the day didn't go quite as well as I'd hoped, I was pleased to have been able to take Keni & Riki on their first boat ride ever, to have swam in the beautiful, deep blue Pacific ocean, and to have done it with five of the coolest kids (& their equally rad mommy) on the planet. :-)

Holiday Cheer

2011-12-02T22:10:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the hospital Christmas party, and since we're never one to pass up a good time and food catered by Island Lava Java...off we went!

For the third year in a row, our eager beaver ended up being the first child in Santa's lap. :-) They had a 2-3 min. private conversation together, and when asked what they talked about the moment after he hopped down, Ryan said- "I don't know." That's my boy!!!

Our annual post-holiday party photo at home (since it the one time of the year I'm wearing something that isn't made with spandex). Also, please feel free to compliment me on my nearly grown out bangs. It has taken over a year, and some very awkward stages of me looking like one of those little poodles with little tufts of hair tucked into rubber bands poofing out all around my face...but we're almost there!

A few days ago Ryan made some Christmas play dough with Grandma, and at my request, made a snowman. Once he finished, he proudly pointed out Frosty's eyes, carrot nose, two arms, penis (cough! cough!) and butt. Um...LOVE IT!!!

You tell 'em, boy!

2011-12-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

I've come to believe that it is very difficult to get people to change their minds on something...but not impossible. Knowing that, I rarely use my blog or Facebook to share my more passionate views with others (such as the need for marriage equality, or the desire to get the rest of America to acknowledge that spam musubis are magical). This is because in most cases, I know that I have a very limited experience and/or capacity to truly change the heart and minds of others. But unlike little 'ol me, this guy can.

He's a passionate, intelligent, well spoken orator (and yes, for the record, I'd date him), and regardless of your beliefs on this issue- I hope you can acknowledge that he raises some very valid truths. Freedom, equality, rainbows and unicorns for all...peace out home fries.

Stuck in a rut

2011-11-30T21:47:00.000-08:00

I'm in the middle of training (week 12 of 19) and have noticed that I've definitely fallen into a rut. On hill work day, I do exactly 10 hill repetitions (never more). I've never run more than 10 miles on my medium run. There is still no short run. And I've skipped my second weekly weights workout for the last 3 weeks. I also just realized that surprise, surprise...I haven't posted my weekly training schedule for the past three weeks.

It's getting a lot harder to convince myself that I'm a champ 'just for getting out there,' and becoming much more obvious that really, I'm just a lazy, undisciplined fool. The last time I half-a**ed trained for an event (who can forget my one-day a week training schedule for the Hilo Marathon) I sorely, sorely regretted it. And yet, each week, I do the bare minimum of my already bare minimum workout plan.

And to make matters even worse...guess who also ruined two batches of peppermint brownies tonight? Who knew that the candy canes I painstakingly crushed with my rolling pin would melt into the brownies and make them soggy and taste like toothpaste? (Probably most bakers...but that's besides the point.)

So to summarize- I am a slow, lazy runner. And I can't bake. (I know, right? I have a terrible life.)

;-) So I'm not sure sitting around boo-hooing my lack of ambition or natural talent is the best use of my time. For one thing, I know that on race day (forget the baking for now), so much of it is mental. Regardless of my lackluster training and effort(s), I don't want to stand at the starting line feeling like a miserable, out of shape loser. There's no benefit to that (even if it is partly true). I have to focus on what I have done, which if pressed to come up with a few things, would be:

I am at least doing the long runs. This weekend is a 24-miler, a terrifying distance, but one I'm super pumped to conquer. I've never run so far without aid stations, so it will be a challenge figuring out how to store all the gels I'll need that day on my body, not to mention mapping out my run to ensure that I hydrate properly.
I have lost 3.5 lbs. since I began training in mid-September (without trying). I've also kept off 4.5 pounds I lost a few months earlier on my first official diet in years. No matter how lazy I am, I'm 8 pounds lighter than I was earlier this year, which means I'm a meaner, leaner Jolener.

As for the baking, I was able to address the soggy mess and not have to waste it all- I ate three pieces. While watching Kourtney & Kim Take New York. Who says I'm a loser?

Baking with my boy

2011-11-28T23:09:00.000-08:00

Today we played hooky from music class to bake some chocolate chip cookies f or daddy to take to work (and psst...all those toys piled up in the background? Not ours! Promise. I would never buy my kid that many toys!)

My little helper mixing away! And he only stole 2-3 chocolate chips out of the bowl (that were covered in raw egg and sugar...here's hoping he's salmonella-free in the morning)!

All packaged up and ready for delivery!

Moku Nui Excursion

2011-11-27T23:29:00.000-08:00

We had to pick up an appliance on the other side of the island on Sunday, which gave us the perfect excuse to spend the day in Hilo. A planned 8-9 hour day was packed with so much fun for Ryan that it ended up becoming a 13-hour day trip instead- a romp off Saddle Road, a trip to the zoo and park, lunch at Ken's, a late afternoon nap at Uncle JJ's, and finally rides, games, prizes at the arcade, and dinner...

For me, the best part of the day was the zoo garden. The first time we visited the zoo, I fell in love with it...and today was more of the same love fest!

Love how the orchids grow wild on the trees...

Nothing says tropical rain forest like a sea of bromeliads soaking up the rain water...

More bromeliads growing on a fallen hapu tree...

Ryan following the peacocks

My dad caught a butterfly for Ryan and gently placed him in Ryan's hands...he loved it!

I've done some fun things in my life, but I can't say I've ever held a content little butterfly in the palm of my hand. Chalk one up for Ry!

Nothing is more fun than a day spent with his grandparents! So glad we moved back to the 'aina so he can experience days like this every single week of his life.

Our wee three

We found a little section in the back of the zoo with little headstones bearing kind words (Aloha 'Ia Oe E Kahea = Goodbye Kahea) for animals who have passed...loved it.

The new playground at the zoo is pretty awesome!

The highlight of the day? Riding the exact same little chugger we rode in Maui at the mall so many times! Ryan was enthralled.

Saying goodnight and goodbye to his Uncle JJ with what we call his famous "Opihi hug" (the opihi is a limpet that sticks so firmly to rocks that's its almost impossible to rip off without a knife).

From Hau'oli La Ho'omakika'i to Mele Kalikimaka!

2011-11-25T23:24:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure the day after Thanksgiving is the official day to deck the halls, so we did. (Don't want to piss off Santa.) You gotta love decorating with a toddler...ten times the fun and laughter. The evidence:

First Ryan helped hang the lights...

Then he hung 90% of the ornaments on about 5% of the branches (before daddy helped spread them out a little).

And finally...our little elf dutifully posed for a few pics (shorts were clearly optional).

Today was also Black Friday, and I'll admit I did hit Macy's (who in Kailua Kona can resist a good Macy's sale?), but it wasn't until close to 10am, and I didn't get to see anyone get a black eye. :-( So I'm not sure if that qualifies as Black Friday shopping...does this mean I lose my Chinese Card? If it helps, I also stopped at KMart afterward for a collapsible cooler (yes, I am that cool) that was nearly half off.

Here are a few other photos taken recently by Rich's new phone...

A bit blurry, but Ryan loves riding cousin Keni around the pool! (And mommy loves it when he straps on those goggles.)

The other day he picked up a stick (from a broken kite), the trailer of a toy truck, and said, "Look! I'm playing the violin!" Melted my heart.

Hau'oli La Ho'omakika'i

2011-11-24T16:49:00.000-08:00

There are many, many things to be thankful for on this beautiful day, but today goes down as one of my most (unexpected) proudest mama moments ever. This morning we got up bright and early for the 7th Annual Wobble & Gobble (a fun family tradition) on our beloved Walua Road trail. Even though we didn't do a thing to prep Ryan for the race (such as forewarning him that he would run, or taking him out to run beforehand), we figured we'd let him have some fun in the 1-mile race. So I fully expected that after running only a few hundred yards that Ryan would stop to walk, crouch down to pick up bugs and throw rocks, and then ask to be carried the rest of the way. I projected a finish time for Ryan of somewhere in the 40-minute range, and settled down near the finish line for a long winter's nap. ;-)

And they're off!!! All race distances start at the same time, so this is about 290 runners on the trail (sadly, this is the only kind of view of the field that I get...the kind from waaaay in the back)!

So I was super duper shocked when I saw my little guy come tearing down the trail in less than half that time! But then I cringed when about 50 yards from the finish line I saw him pitch forward, tumble and conk his head on the pavement! Daddy picked him up, dusted off his bloody knee, held him for a minute while he cried...but then once he heard me hollering at him, he immediately climbed down and ran in with tears and exhilaration in his eyes.

Look at him go! Bloodied knee and all! Special thanks to his 6-person entourage/support team of Kenichi, Daddy, Uncle JJ, Aunty Lynne, Aunty Mika & Grandma Janice for encouraging him the whole time...you guys rock! Extra turkey & pie for all of you!

Ryan and Coach Kenichi post-race proudly modeling their finisher medals!

A few more special thank you's to Jason & Melissa Braswell, owners of Big Island Running Company & sponsors of the race (that's Melissa Braswell on the left), and adorable, unbelievably cute Makena for giving Ryan a huge encouraging hug mid-race and for presenting him with his medal afterward. Maybe Mama Noriko will agree to an omiai kekkon (Japanese arranged marriage) with us? Please?

I was a little bummed that I didn't get to see Ryan during the race (I was manning the refreshment table), but I won't deny that I'm amazed, proud and happy to have learned that my (normally very chill, pretty lazy) little boy has some fire in the belly! What an amazing, unexpected gift on an already bountiful day.

As soon as we got home, it was time to start cooking our share of the Thanksgiving feast (stuffing, pumpkin pie and homemade blueberry mochi (...you know, just like the Pilgrims once ate)!

Thankfully, we had two expert little sous Chefs to help us swirl the blueberries in!

We'll cap off the Thanksgiving festivities with an evening dip in the pool with most of the family. And for those of you thinking it's far too cold to be swimming at night, you're right. It is. I bet it will dip down to about 79 later today, so we'll definitely be shivering! ;-)

Three Thanksgivings with Ry

2011-11-21T17:41:00.000-08:00

We've been lucky to have celebrated three Thanksgiving holidays with Ryan so far...

Ryan's 1st Thanksgiving...he celebrated with carrots and applesauce.

Ryan's 2nd Thanksgiving...he kept me company on an early morning 6.4 mile run at the Wobble & Gobble...

Ryan's 3rd Thanksgiving...waiting in a long line at Macy's during a pre-Black Friday sale!

Our 4th Thanksgiving with Ryan will be a repeat of our 2nd with him. We're planning on spending the morning at the Big Island Running Company's 7th Annual Wobble & Gobble runs. Only this year, Ryan will be running instead of us (he doesn't know it yet)! :-) If you're in town...come on by and walk or run! It's at 7am on Walua Road, no entry fee required...but donations to the Hawaii Island Food Bank will be gratefully accepted by the BIRC team.

Thoughts on a run...

2011-11-20T14:57:00.000-08:00

Today I ran the Queen Ka'ahumanu Triathlon Club's 30k race (thank you organizers and volunteers!), and am so excited to report that I finished in the Top 15 runners for my distance!!! (Out of 16 participants). :-) Technically, I finished 12th. But saying "Top 15" sounds a lot better than "fourth from the last."

I think because I had fairly decent 18 & 20-mile runs (not speedy of course, but not excruciating either), I assumed that this morning's 22-miler would go the same way...whoops. It took me 3:28 to run 18.6 miles.

Good Lord.

I had thought with the aid stations and added pressure of running with others that I would run about 10-minute mile(s) and finish in roughly 3 hours. But somehow, I ran 11:20-minute miles. Yikes. To be fair, I did take two potty breaks, but they were probably only a minute each (since the county seems to think toilet paper is optional and saved me the additional wiping time). ;-) Sorry if that's too much information, heh heh.

While I never really hit my stride or felt great out there today (it was kinda warm and humid), I was still surprised by my performance and a little upset. But I desperately wanted to end the run on a positive note, so even though all I wanted to do after the race was go home- I forced myself to hit the running path so I could run/walk the additional 3.5 miles I needed to complete 22-miles. I was in such pain that I was barely able to mince along (but was gratefully aided by the quick beat of the 8-9 loud Tahitian drummers pounding away for some Tahitian hula dancers nearby). Every time I slowly looped around them on the path I kept expecting to see heavily tattooed Tahitian warriors holding spears swoop down from the trees...it was so beautifully awesome and surreal (childhood flashbacks of my own brief Tahitian hula lessons) definitely helped get me through the run.

At the moment, I'm laying in bed with Ryan fast asleep next to me. I finished running three full hours ago and my poor, horrifically tanned legs (thank you, compression socks!) are still aching, tender and sore... Today's run definitely took a lot out of me, and the thought of running, or even walking NINE more miles uphill after that (since the ultra is 31) sounded worse than being water boarded. So I still have quite a ways to go folks...quite a ways to go. The thing that these really long runs do to me that I always forget until I do one, is that they so deeply exhaust me that all I can think about is how I don't want to do them anymore...but I know that I have to and want to, because they make me so much physically and psychologically stronger. They strip away all the b.s.and force me to forget everything in the world other than just crawling and limping my way to the finish.

So today's run was a GREAT reminder for me to not set a time goal for the ultra. Because at the end of that run, I will be fighting to just stay upright and make it to the finish line. I have even given myself permission (try not to laugh because I'm being dead serious here) to collapse at the finish line...which I always feel like doing after a marathon, but pride prevents me from doing so. :-) I know I'll be totally embarrassed if I do, but I doubt I'll care because it will feel sooooo damned good.

Onward and upward (even if I'm limping),
Jolene

Things that make me smile right now

2011-11-17T16:36:00.000-08:00

Getting some early Christmas toy shopping & gift wrapping done for my nephews...love that we get to celebrate Christmas so early with them (since they go to Japan for the holidays). It's like we get to celebrate twice!
And along those lines, still being able to buy a few small Christmas presents for Ryan right under his nose! Even with him sitting right next to them in the cart, completely innocent and clueless... I tell him they're for other kids birthdays...and he buys it! :-)
My new running mama friend...love getting to chat about running and all the gory stuff that non-runners probably find just odd (pre-run, during and post-run bowel movements, the prolonged life cycle of a dying toenail, sodium intake, etc.)
My brothers...one helped my son get dressed this morning & read to him since I was running late (Jon), one helped Rich with the yard work at our house this afternoon (Joel), and one made me laugh this evening, even from 2,500 miles away (Joey). What would I do without them? (I mean aside from inheriting everything...which is admittedly hard to top...).
Lasers...they restored my eyesight almost 3 years ago, and have now zapped away the worst of the evidence of my 37 years of sun worshiping. (It took seven painful treatments, but ta-da! I am officially slightly less Dalmatian looking!)
Our faithful, long suffering Realtor, Sue...she scored a huge one for Team R & J a few days ago. Needless to say, I now have one very healthy, pink kidney up for auction! I'd previously been saving it for my brother Joey (the one with a fondness for the drink), but it's now up for grabs to the highest bidder, or a bidder who can paint and/or lay new carpet and tile.
The huge ripening bunch of apple bananas in our front yard (that I've been liberally sharing with the birds).
That running ten miles mid-week is no longer as exhausting as it used to be. Yes, after 8-9 weeks...I've finally crossed that threshold! Please note that I am not any faster or lighter...just less tired once I'm done!

Our little geek

2011-11-16T23:12:00.000-08:00

Ryan at the AT&T store earlier this week...

Somebody wants an iPhone like daddy's and/or a tablet! (Somebody isn't going to get either until he gets himself a J-O-B.)

Ultra Training Week #9

2011-11-14T16:43:00.000-08:00

Week #9

Weights -þ þ

Walk - þ (6 mile walk)

Hills/Sprints- þ (10 200-yard hills)

Med. Run- þ (10 miles)

Long Run-þ (11 miles)

What I've learned:

Another very lackluster week of 'training,' devoid of even a long run to feel good about. Ugh. Thankfully this weekend offers something fun to look forward to...the Queen Ka'ahumanu Triathlon Club is offering a 10, 20 & 30k run this Sunday down at Old A's at7am. I'll be running the 30k (18.6 miles) and then doing another 3.5 miles right after that so I can get in my long run (22 miles). It will be a special treat to be able to do my long run with (and by 'with,' I obviously mean 'behind') other people, and with the added benefit of aid stations and shade (along Ali'i Dr).
Even though I'm just going through the motions right now with very little 'push' or improvement...I am still happy I'm doing it. I know it's a kind of a cop out from feeling the kind of guilt or embarrassment that I probably should from doing such minimal training, but I never started this training to crush the run or take out the competition. I started training to have a goal that wasn't focused on weight, and that would improve my physical and emotional health. And on that front, I am succeeding because I am in better shape than I was a few months ago, and as a side benefit, I think I've lost 2 pounds even though I'm eating more (from the increased workouts). Sweetness.
Another side benefit is that I am no longer as intimidated by hills. I can't say I'm faster on them or love them, but I don't have to walk up as many of them either. :-) The most I've climbed in a day is about 500 feet (in elevation), and while that's an almost laughable amount against the 4,000 we'll climb on race day, it's still 500 feet more than I could have trudged up two months ago. So again...improving.
I had an impulsive fantasy a few days ago. I wanted to do the Honolulu Marathon (early next month) as a last minute training run. I've always wanted to do the race, and since I'm in decent shape to do it, I thought...why not? I'll fly out the day before, take the bus into town, crash someone's living room that night, then fly back a few hours after race... The airfare was pricey, but reasonable for last minute- $80 going over, $130 coming home...so about $230 R/T with tax/fees. But then I saw that the race entry fee was now something like $230. Yikes. That's almost $10 per mile...and should I really have to pay that much $ so I can lose another 2-3 toenails? My heart sank, but the practical, thrifty side of me took over, and I decided that it's not gonna happen this year (or sadly, next year either since we're going to be on a trip that Nov). Someday though...someday. :-)

Best night...ever!

2011-11-11T22:57:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the Kona Coffee Festival Parade...and the three boys got to march in it and help pass out treats to kids.

Needless to say, they were all very excited. :-)

Keni & Riki were little rock stars, hurriedly handing out candy to every child in sight. My little guy, on the other hand...despite loudly promising to be friendly, was...not. ;-) I think he passed out about ten pieces all night, but took about a solid 1 minute to hand out each piece. Sooo...

...much of the parade was like this- Ryan and I running to catch up with the rest of the group!

After we finished, we still got to watch more than 3/4 of the parade with the boys before heading to Bubba Gump's for a celebratory dinner to cap off the most enjoyable night ever.

My favorite entry of the night was also the last one in the parade...the one of the Buddhists chanting and dancing. It reminded me of our years in Japan and love for going to parades/festivals.

The 'rents in the city

2011-11-07T23:20:00.000-08:00

Hanging out in the city by the bay with Joey

I keep getting these hysterical photos & videos from my brother of my parents doing fun stuff in San Fran (the trip was a thank you gift from my husband for the endless, year-round babysitting that we get). Unfortunately, because Joey was the photographer (and likely the instigator) of certain photos, I cannot post ALL of them (I would hate to see my father charged with his first misdemeanor in his sixties).

They were supposed to go to see the redwoods in Sequoia National Forest today, but somehow my father managed to convince/reroute them to Reno so they could hit the slots (& games at Circus Circus) instead...I no longer wonder where I get my shallowness and ADD from. ;-)

My Dad & Mom playing in the snow...please note that they're both wearing new matching North Face jackets from Joey (since we all know that no true Hawaiian owns such silliness. :-)

Ultra Training Week #8

2011-11-06T18:44:00.000-08:00

Week #8

Weights -þ þ (though both were very short, lackluster sessions)

Walk - þ (6 mile walk)

Hills/Sprints- þ (10 200-yard hills)

Med. Run- þ (10 miles)

Long Run-þ (20 miles)

What I've learned:

During my last long run two weeks ago, I decided to reward/myself by taking a break to stretch at each mileage marker after mile 16. This really seemed to help keep my energy level up, so I decided to do it again during today's 20-miler, and whaddaya know...it worked again. :-) So while my run sure wasn't fast (today's run took me 4 hours...eek), it felt surprisingly good for the distance I covered.
It also helped to remind myself that there is no reason to dread/fear the long runs...and that they don't automatically have to be painful. Instead, I try to focus on how lucky I am to have the opportunity to even do them- that I have someone to watch Ryan, great year round weather (hot and humid yes, but not snowy or icy either) and two legs that work. It's all a bit cheesy and elementary, but it still helps.
It's time to switch out my shoes. :-( My knees have been aching during the runs lately. Initially I thought it was because of the increasingly longer runs, but then I realized it was probably time to change out my shoes. I couldn't for the life of me remember when I first started using my current pair (but they still looked and felt new...), so a few hours ago I carefully inspected some pictures from the half I ran back in June. I was pretty shocked to see that I'm still wearing the same running shoes from over four months ago. And since I know I didn't start using them right before the race, I'm pretty sure they're closer to 5-6 months old. Thankfully, I don't run a lot (I calculated that I've probably only run about 350 miles in them) but since I'm not exactly a featherweight...it's time.
It's always tough getting rid of a pair of running shoes. Every time I see an old picture of me running, I immediately zero in on the shoe, then sigh and think to myself, "Aww...I miss those shoes!" Please tell me I'm not alone on this one, runners...
I'm six weeks away from my first (of two) marathon distance training run...and I've decided that despite it being pretty flat, that I'm going to run the Kona Marathon/Ironman Championship race course. This way I'll have something new/different to look forward to, as well as have a trial/practice run for the actual race I hope to be running in June.

While I was out pounding the pavement this morning, here's what my boys were up to...

Rich and Ryan joined Keni & Riki at the Kona Coffee Festival's UCC Kona Coffee picking competition!

They also had a shaved ice stand (which they all enjoyed) and a bouncy house there, which the three cousins had all to themselves for about 20 minutes. :-)

Then it was time to cheer on the competitors...here's Keni picking the red cherries during his age group!

And on Saturday, our family joined the two boys again at their karate competition! Both boys competed in the kata & sparring competitions...super fun to watch how awesome they are!!! Not sure what Ryan loved more- cheering for his cousins or eating a huge spam musubi. It is a tough one...

Couldn't resist snapping this picture of Ryan on Friday waiting in our dentist's lobby with his Thomas laptop. What a focused multi-tasker! ;-)

A few good reads

2011-11-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

I've read a number of good books recently that are worth mentioning-

The Girl's Guide To Homelessness (Brianna Karp) - though not traditionally homeless (she did have an old RV), Karp is a great writer that brings empathy to the growing homeless population. She also does something (camping Wal Mart parking lots) that Rich and I did back in '02 on a trip across the US, so I admit it makes me somewhat sentimental. Say what you will about the corporate beast, but if you're on a tight budget, have a car and need a safe place to crash...Sam Walton opens his arms to you, embraces you, and invites you to pick up a bottle of shampoo and some Cheesy Poofs while you're there.

Escape (Carolyn Jessop) - The TV show Sister Wives (TLC) has my inner historian on overdrive wanting to learn more about polygamy. The family on the show, however, is a rare example of adults who truly choose to live a polygamist lifestyle. Carolyn Jessop's account in Escape is sadly, probably a far more common experience. Jessop details her life as part of FLDS cult headed by Warren Jeff's (you may remember the raid on the Yearning for Zion compound), and the rampant forced marriages, underage sexual abuse, powerless females, etc. It's sickening, captivating and really blows the lid of one of the country's most secretive sects.

Honolulu (Alan Brennert) - If you're into modern Hawaiian history, this is the most enjoyable book on the islands I've read in years. Brennert has another book from a similar time period (Molokai), but I wasn't nearly as fond of it because of the overwhelming hardship/sadness of the period covered (lepers banished to the island of Moloka'i). It's a rare great read about life in the islands...

Dreams of Joy (Lisa See) - I'm always a sucker for a book around the period of the Cultural Revolution. If you read Shanghai Girls by Lisa See (highly, highly recommended)...you'll like Dreams of Joy, but it doesn't have quite the draw of Shanghai Girls.

Little Princes (Conor Grennan) - Conor Grennan founded an orphanage in Nepal after finding out about children taken from their families. Poor peasant families were told that their children would be taken away from the perils of civil unrest (for a price of course) and given an education, but were instead heartlessly dumped into orphanages. After reading this book, all I could think about was leaving Kona and heading straight to Nepal. PS- I tried. No one at the Little Princes emailed me back. :-(

Hearing Birds Fly: A Nomadic Year in Mongolia (Louisa Waugh) - I am always a huge fan of books that take place in modern day Asia...and was pleasantly surprised to find one taking place in Ulaan Baatar. Again, very nostalgic for me as the author takes the Trans Siberian through the same cities as we did back in '00, but falls in love in the harsh landscape of the Gobi desert. It definitely makes me want to go back and spend a few nights in a ger, but I admit that rampant dust, a lack of a warm shower and the very thought of eating oily lamb around the fire is not likely to inspire me to extend my stay.

Sugar Nation: The Hidden Truth Behind America's Deadliest Habit & the Simple Way to Beat It (Jeff O'Connell) - About once or twice a year, I find a book that shocks and inspires me to go raw-food-vegan-organic-hippie-farmer overnight. Then I smell a hamburger and never make it past buying a few seed packets. Nonetheless, unlike most books I've read (which tend to focus around the meat industry and make the case for vegetarian diets) this one focuses on sugar. I wish there were sodium counterpart written, or even a chapter on it...since it is another weakness of mine/America's.

Sidenote: I understand that the web and electronic tablets/readers are slowing eroding the newspaper and bookstore industries...and likely one day (whimper) libraries too. I'm conflicted about this. Interestingly enough, research has been done on the energy used to print a book vs. creating an electronic reader, and unless you read regularly- books are supposedly safer for the environment (and if recycled, perhaps more so). I would have thought readers would be greener, hands down. Still, I know the change to electronic books is coming...but cannot imagine a month going by without my excitedly exiting the library with a towering stack of books to read. I am...the 8.403122% that regularly uses my public library (catchy, right?), and I'm going to occupy it in protest until we library funds are restored (or until dinnertime, whichever comes first).

Fore!

2011-11-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

Since I know my younger brother only checks my blog about once every three years...I figure its safe to post this even though his birthday party isn't until tomorrow night. :-)

While I was out walking, my two boys started the cake baking...

Seriously, how cute is this?

And thanks to tons of help from Rich...we finished the cake in record time (3 hours)! Since JJ has been spending a lot of time on the golf course recently (for work), I wanted to make him a golfing cake. It's an uphill par-3 for those of you care. ;-)

Our little tiger

2011-11-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

Last night Ryan met up with a few of his friends to go trick or treating in Pualani Estates. I have never in my life seen so many cars/people in one place. It looked like Disneyland! I'd heard it was a great subdivision to visit for Halloween, but I had no idea how insane it would be. Huge thanks to all the folks in that community who made it so special for us!

Ryan and I met this neat hippie who offered to pull him around all night, so we brought him home with us. :-) Ryan LOVED trick or treating. He kept asking for "More and more and more!" as the night went on. Trust me, if we hadn't finally dragged him home, he'd still be out there. :-)

The best part of the night! Sorting out everyone's favorites to bag and share with others!

Ultra Training Week #7

2011-10-30T21:24:00.000-07:00

Week #7

Weights -þ þ

Walk - þ (6 mile walk/2 mile run)

Hills/Sprints- þ (10 200-yard hills)

Med. Run- þ (6 miles)

Long Run-þ (11 miles)

What I've learned:

I know there are single working moms who somehow manage to do marathons (I think it usually involves 4am wake up calls), but there is NO way I could ever do this without Rich. He watches Ryan the 3-4 days a week that I'm out training, and has volunteered (without complaint) to do this for twenty weeks. He's my biggest supporter, sponsor and cheerleader- thank you, Pops. You make me a very happy, balanced person. :-)
LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem might just be the world's greatest song to run to. Ever. I dare you to pump up the volume on this one while running and not stop in your tracks to do the robot or the running man (these never get old though, so no worries about getting teased).
I just found out that not one, but two runners I know will be doing the Ultra in Hilo. Yay for Karen & Cass!
I made a time calculation and distance error on this evening's long run, which resulted in me running the last two miles in pitch black darkness...while wearing a black cap, black top, black running shorts and black compression socks. Really, I couldn't have done a better job of trying to get run over. I really can't afford to keep doing this (it's the second time in 3 weeks). As much as I love running, I have two boys to think about and can't risk my life for a few miles. Yikes.
This week Sunday will be my 20-miler. Excited. Terrified.

But enough about me. Check out what the little guy has been up to the past few days-

On Saturday Ryan went to the Halloween party down at Keauhou Shopping Center and ended up on the water slide with his daddy (the only two in street clothes) at 8pm. Earlier that day they also carved up one of their two pumpkins together (no pics yet).

On Sunday Ryan got to check out the Halloween Pet Walk in the morning before attending another Halloween event at a local church.

First he got slimed...

Then he scared mommy by popping out of this coffin!

And then he did his first ever balloon race...let's just say that had there had been another competitor, he wouldn't have medaled. ;-) But he sure was damn cute.

Aloha Big Island Bones!

2011-10-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

Hey Kona peeps! A good friend of ours is launching her new business (Big Island Bones) this weekend at the Humane Society's 3rd Annual Halloween Pet Walk (Hale Halawai this Saturday). Dog lover and Chef de Cuisine Heidi will be there from 9-noon, with all proceeds being donated to charity (the Hawaii Island Humane Society).

Heidi has been laboring on the recipes to ensure that they're additive free, and a healthy part of your dog's diet. I've been asked to help with the booth (clearly she needed some eye candy...wink wink), so stop on by with your pooch for some of her freshly baked, all natural, healthy & mouth-watering dog treats!

Some of the seasonal treats she'll be selling that day include:

Wheat-free turkey sage biscuits
Wheat-free cinnamon molasses rolls
Banana coconut snacks
Coconut carob-chip cookies
Pumpkin Pie bites
Scrumptious pupcakes

1/4 lb. - $4
1/2 lb. - $8
1 lb. for $15
All prices/orders include free local delivery! Can't beat that, right? ;-)

She'll also be taking orders (in case you'd like to place a gift order) that day, or if you'd like to pre-order something, please email or message me with your order! Each order comes with an adoring gaze from me, and possibly even a kiss (closed mouth...gotta be specific). :-)

If you don't live in Kona- she does offer very affordable flat rate shipping within the US.
Also, if your dog has a restrictive diet, she can create a custom treat(s) for your buddy.

Please come on by and bark at us!

(And yes, I came up with that all by myself. No congratulations, necessary. Some of us are just blessed with the gift of marketing.)

Good Thursday

2011-10-27T21:22:00.000-07:00

Life has been good. A few things that made me smile today:

Ryan and I started our day with a school field trip to the fire station. It was our fourth such trip. Needless to say, I wasn't quite as excited as the first, second and third time we did this...but it was well worth the wide-eyed wonder in my little guy's eyes. :-)
Watching to my son shriek with happiness while being chased by a friend on our front yard
Being totally surprised by a dear friend with a gift of raw goji berries (thanks, H!)
Sprinkling those goji berries and some blueberries all over Greek yogurt, and washing 'em down with one of the most delicious dragon fruit (thanks, Mom!) I have ever consumed
Running while watching the sun set

When I look back on the day- it was priceless. The older I get, the more I try to live in the present so that I can truly soak up the beauty of that particular moment. Naturally I struggle with this. But I'm getting better.

My life is never as perfect as I'd like it to be, or (full disclosure)...try to make it seem, but it sure did feel perfect today. :-)

Ultra Training Week #6

2011-10-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

Week #6

Weights -þ þ

Walk - þ (6 mile walk)

Hills/Sprints- þ (10 200-yard hills)

Med. Run- þ (8.5 miles)

Long Run-þ (18 miles)

What I've learned:

I was reminded that waking up early to run (even with the resulting sleep deprivation) is worth it. Because I was kinda nervous about the long(er) distance of Sunday's run (Sat night was just like the night before a race- I woke up at 2, 3, 4 & 5am), so I started my run an hour earlier than normal. It was noticeably darker/cooler, not to mention AWESOME to be done before the sun really started blazing!
A few weeks ago I asked myself why every long run couldn't be a good one. Since every run is going to have moments of highs and lows...why not instead focus on the moments of effortlessness, the moments of feeling superhuman and holding onto them so that they override the ugly, painful moments?
So I'm pleased to say that Sunday was another successful day- it was probably the nicest 18-miler I've ever run. Even though I'm always pretty fatigued toward the end, I never once felt totally out of gas. Check back with me in two weeks when I run my first 20-miler though, let's see how Ms. Happy feels about her long run then!
The same goes for the fact that I'm only doing a very reduced training schedule...I could continue to feel like an unprepared, lazy weakling for not training properly, or I can instead focus on the fact that this is the best shape I've been in in years.
I changed up my hill workout this week. I increased the distance of each hill, but a chose a milder incline. And immediately, I went from "I'm kinda over this and just want to be done!" to "I love this!!! I could do more!" I don't know if I'm robbing myself of intensity with the easier grade, but I do know that keeping things fresh is critical to maintaining them.
I'm almost a third of the way through my training program (we'll call it the Baby stage), and I definitely want to consider adding a third, very short run each week (2-3 miles). As teeny tiny as it is, I think it would really boost my confidence to know that I'm pushing my legs just a little bit more.
Sidenote: Guess who just signed up for the Kona Marathon? I've done the half three times, so it's time to run the full (for the first time). I'm pretty excited. I've never run the full Ironman run course before (in its entirety), so that should be pretty inspirational.

And here's how the rest of the weekend went:

On Saturday I packed a picnic and we headed out to the Kohala Pumpkin Patch with my mom.

Ryan was so overwhelmed by all the pumpkin options. He kept picking one up, excitedly announcing, "Oh how cute! I think I found the one I want!" But then a split second later, he would put it back down with a shy smile and say, "I just can't decide!"

I think this one was about the 7th or 8th one he claimed was "The one." Still, it was all very cute and well worth the 75 min. drive. each way (even though we could have bought a much bigger, cheaper one 4 miles from home). ;-)

After our pumpkin patch excursion, we headed toward the little town of Hawi (I haven't been there in over two decades) and hit up a Farmers Market before picnicking at Kamehameha park.

On Sunday after my long run, we swam at my parent's pool before taking Ryan over to his cousin Riki's birthday party at the bowling alley (that's my late night, kinda sloppy, giant Lego cake creation for my Lego-obsessed nephew), and then a friend's house for one of loveliest dinner parties ever. Thank you, E & D for the best Mexican food I've had in years! :-)

Anyone need a Ryan fix?

2011-10-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

I know the posts here have been a bit sporadic and 'ultra-centric'...but that's kinda been my focus (you know, aside from preschool, music class, park, beach and pool dates). ;-) Rich has been a trooper helping to watch Ryan more so I can get in my second weekly run (though I'm still short 3 runs per week of a normal ultra marathon training schedule...whoops) and hill work.

Even Ryan's also gotten into the spirit of things. He was thrilled when we found a brand new set of 1-lb. weights (that they are pink is an added bonus in his eyes) at a garage sale a week ago, and has made it a point to join me for about 30-60 seconds whenever I whip out the 'ol hand weights. So at the risk of exposing my plump, juicy little muffin top (not to mention horribly messy kitchen counter)...here it is. Mother-son bonding at its finest. Feel the burn!

Against mother's request, Daddy insisted (glad he did) on nabbing this Thomas set for Ryan from another garage sale on that same day. As is typically the case with young, deprived children such as Ryan, he loved it for the first day. Since then, he is much more interested in spending his time begging for ice cream or watching the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We've raised such a healthy, fit delightful child. :-)

Okay, at this point you're probably wondering...does this child even own a pair of shorts? The answer to this is a resounding no. So if you would be so kind as to send me over a check ($75 ought to get him a pair, but he sure could use 3-4), I would love to get him some.

This is the sight that greets us nearly evening around 9pm...Ryan's hot little body buried under a thick, wool-lined blanket (he insists), covered under both pillows in 80-degree heat. :-)

This weekend, thanks to KAMA Hawaii, we're taking him out to beautiful, breezy Waimea for a fun-filled pumpkin patch & picnic at the park (and depending on your generosity, he may even get to wear some shorts). :-)

Ultra Training Week #5

2011-10-16T21:39:00.000-07:00

Week #5

Weights -þ þ (ramping it up to 2x/week)

Walk - þ (6 mile walk)

Hills/Sprints- þ (15 hills)

Med. Run- þ (6 miles)

Long Run-þ (10 miles)

What I've learned:

I'm happy to report that after two consecutive weeks of easing off the runs and babying my shins- no more pain!!! Victory! Nonetheless, I still chose to heed the old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and bought a pair of CEP compression socks from Big Island Running Company last week. And I have to say, while I do like them- they are definitely a little warmer to run in (I perhaps not so wisely picked black since they looked slightly less like I'm trying to bring tube socks back). However, everything I've read about them seems to support less swelling/increased circulation/faster recovery- all good things for the beating(s) my poor little shins are about to endure.
And on the compression socks note...I got to run 3 miles with a super fast 67-year old gentleman today (Ellis Andrews, the current Men's 60 & Over Ultraman World Champion), who just so happens to be sponsored by CEP. Though he had to slow down considerably to run/chat with me, he told me that the socks are awesome and then shared a few of his upcoming runs with me- a 50-mile run, a few marathons (one of which is oh, you know...BOSTON), etc. Can you believe he does this stuff at 67? At 67, the only running I'm planning on doing is to the toilet (I hear incontinence is a b&%h).
I'm officially 25% done with my training program. It actually flew by pretty quickly. I'm excited to try and ramp it up a bit in the coming weeks, but nervous as well. I'm still not quite at the place where I can say that I *love* running, and I also dread having to ask Rich to watch Ryan so much more. So a special thanks goes out to the man I married 14 years ago for always supporting me... :-)
I learned something very, very interesting while watching the Ironman live stream last weekend...check this out...you won't believe it. When pro triathletes are charging through aid stations on the run and need to cool down, they not only toss cups full of water all over their head/chest, they also toss ice down their pants! Apparently, it does wonders for cooling off their core body temperature. That makes sense. But I don't see that ever happening for me no matter how hot it gets on Queen K. If you're too hot while running, just take a page from my playbook- Stop. Walk. Buy a smoothie and lie down under a tree. Works just as good and is lots less traumatic for your woman parts.

New gear (in addition to the compression socks):

Since I tend to get a light burn no matter how much I reapply my water/sweat proof sunscreen on long run days (since they're always followed by additional pool/beach time), I decided to get a small tube of facial zinc sunscreen to see if that offers better protection. Will keep you posted!
I always use Body Glide on long runs, but never on short runs. However, during this week's 6-miler, it poured down on me and I totally chafed from my supposedly seamless jogging bra. >.< Ouch. So guess who will be toting a small trial size bottle during the Ultra to make sure my skin stays attached to my chest in the event it pours down on us?
After two years of chomping either Clif Shot bloks (always the black cherry since they're caffeinated) or Gu Chomps (Strawberry Pomegranate for the same reason), I needed a break. So I've switched back to the first fuel I ever tried- Powerbar gels in Strawberry Banana & Tangerine. And so far, Ms. Iron Stomach seems to be adapting quite well to the change!

And finally, here are a few pics from the past couple of weeks...

Guess who celebrated her birthday last week?

Someone discovered the security cameras for sale at Costco and wasn't afraid to ham for them.

Someone has been showered with special gift boxes from his Aunty Kathy, Grammy Kay and Uncle Joey all in one month...with more than one containing his beloved apple banana crushers from Trader Joe's.

Mama likes to say 'Go big or go home!' (okay, so I've never actually said that), but I did made a giant Chef's salad for a family dinner the other day. I'm hooked on these salads right now...but most especially the one down at Bianelli's in Keauhou.

We're gearing up for Halloween, slowly but surely. Thanks to Grammy Kay for all the cool gel clings, and Grandma Janice for the Halloween artwork!

Have you seen such beauty from a fruit? I would eat it (dragon fruit) everyday if it didn't cost $5 each...thankfully, I got hooked up at the Farmers Market for only $3.50 each, so I splurged and bought two.

Thank goodness Farmer Ryan (sans pants of course) is on the case! Here he is planting our dragon fruit seeds a few days ago and a few have already sprouted. But now what? I've read that once the seedlings grow a few inches, the real work begins....culling, rooting out the weaklings, replanting and monitoring sun exposure and delicate water balance. No worries, mama is up for the challenge!

The little helper

2011-10-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to help drill holes in mommy's worm bin...safety first!

The worms thank their brother Ryan for their large, new, oxygen-filled home. Now go eat, poop and multiply!

Ultra Training Week #4

2011-10-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

Week #4-

Weights -þ

Walk - þ (4 mile walk/3 mile stroller run)

Hills/Sprints- þ (13 hills)

Med. Run- skipped, Tae Bo instead (0 miles)

Long Run-þ (16 miles)

What I've learned:

Shin splint prevention went into full effect this week- I cancelled this week's medium run (quite sad about it actually...with no one more surprised by this than me) so I could rest the shins. And then for my long run on Sunday I taped up, walked liberally on the downhill sections, and after the run- popped some ibuprofen & iced down. I'm also on the hunt for some compression socks today, which I hope will have the dual benefit of keeping the tape adhesive longer (excessive sweat = loose tape) and keep things a little firmer/tighter down there (that last part sounded weird). So far, everything appears to be helping...thank you shins for putting up with me. :-)
Last Saturday was the biggest day of the year in our little town- the Ironman World Championships! We enjoyed watching the pros on the Live Stream throughout the day, but I especially loved watching Miranda Carfrae (2nd place woman) trying to charge down Chrissie Wellington in the final miles. Miranda has such incredible, pure running form and clearly- a never give up attitude. Between her and the late night stragglers we went to cheer on around 7pm (14 hours into the race), I had plenty of motivation to tackle my 16-miler yesterday.
I had hoped to make Eye of the Tiger my theme song for the Ultra...you know, the one you queue up for the start and end of the race to get your motor going. But ah...while it definitely got me fired up for the first few runs, I don't think it's gonna happen. Just too 1980 for me. It's looking like it's gonna be Foster the People's Pumped Up Kicks. It takes everything I have to not stop running and start dancing in the middle of the street once the techno medley kicks in.
I accomplished a new milestone on my long run yesterday- I was actually able to run up most of Walua Road yesterday...twice. So not only did I conquer a previously unfathomable goal once, I did it twice. I won't say the sight of my very sweaty, slowly shuffling body up the hill was impressive (I'd say it was much closer to somewhere between 'sad' and 'concerning'), but it definitely put a smile on my face.
This is the first time I've been in training for a race since 2007, which has inspired me to eat healthier than I ever have. I've consumed more pineapple, avocado, apple bananas, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, Greek yogurt, acai berry juice and dragon fruit in the last two months than I have in the last year. Sadly, this also means that the arare, blue corn chips and sesame sticks we brought back from Trader Joe's are also being consumed in record amounts to keep pace with my increased appetite as well (so don't expect the muffin top, bat wings or chubby thighs to disappear anytime soon). :-)
As I continue to increase my mileage, I'm going to see if the budget can accommodate a few 'rewards' for achieving milestone distances...specifically, a sports/recovery massage from my favorite masseuse, Mike J. Perhaps once I run my first 20-miler and 26-miler? I think it will not only motivate me to get 'em done, but be healing/restorative as well.
Saturday was part of my ongoing get fit/become more green initiative initiative. Rich and Ryan drilled holes in a large plastic container I found at a garage sale for $3 (about 2-3x the size of my previous worm bin), so I could transfer our growing worm population over to their new home. :-) I'm very excited about this. I wanted to make sure I mastered the oxygen:nitrogen balance and saw my worms reproducing before I took this leap. I'm quite anxious to expand the operation so I can begin feeding them more food waste and generate tons more worm poop! We also used some recycled yogurt containers to plant some cilantro, heirloom tomatoes (the seeds were harvested from a friend's crop, so take that, Monsanto!), two types of lettuce (lettuce will be a first for me as I'd previously thought slugs would annihilate them) and even some dragon fruit (not holding my breath).
I'm happy to be going into a 'low' running mileage week to give my shins/knees a little more rest, this training schedule is AWESOME!

Ultra Training Week #3

2011-10-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

Week #3-

Weights - þ

Walk - þ (6 miles)

Hills/Sprints- þ (11 hills)

Med. Run-þ (10 miles)

Long Run-þ (10 miles)

What I've learned:

Uh oh. I'm only three weeks in, and my attention & dedication are already starting to wane...and I still have 17 weeks to go! Even though I only lift ONCE a week, I only did weights for a whopping 20 minutes last night, and I sooooo don't want to do hills today. Lo-ser!!! :-)
Adding one run per week has already taken a toll on my shell shocked, lazy body. Not only did I lose a toenail (which I mentioned yesterday), but I think I'm starting to feel the initial stages of shin splints. Laaaame. I usually pop three ibuprofen after a long run, but now I may have to start icing too if things don't improve. I used to get these at the start of every cross country season (I had two mortifying seasons in high school that were unfortunately, very accurate predictors of future performance), and they hurt. A LOT. I didn't think adding a second day of running per week (since they're only 8-10 milers) would be that big a deal to my shins, but apparently- they are not pleased.
The first week in October is always the most motivational one of the year- when Queen K & Ali'i Drive are packed with tons of Ironman eye candy! It definitely helps inspire me...not so much that I didn't eat half a bag of Ruffles while watching Cake Boss this afternoon, but still.
Just before I started training, I totally redid my training schedule. Instead of a steady, gradual build up of roughly 1 mile per week...I'm instead increasing my long runs in increments of 2 miles every other week instead...with the 'down' weeks being 10-milers (to let the legs recover I guess). So my Sunday runs will look like this- 10-12-10-14-10-16-10-18-10-20...you get the idea. So far, I am in love with this training schedule. It's such a relief knowing that I'm not going to be out roasting in the heat for 4-5 hours every single Sunday until race day. :-) Seriously though, am I not the laziest runner, ever?!
So if all goes well (and this is admittedly mind boggling to me), I will do two 26-mile runs just 14 days apart. As overwhelming and well, insane as this sounds, I hope and pray I get the chance to do it. Be strong, shins! Be strong! :-)
If you're in need of the training boost I needed this morning- watch this clip about a father who towed his son all 140 miles in an Ironman (and still does)! You will gradually start to tear up, and if you let yourself- start to sob openly. But it's okay, because sometimes we need to be reminded of what the human body and spirit are capable of. The vision of Team Hoyt will fuel me this afternoon when I tackle those dreaded hills. :-)

Who says 6-inch heels hurt?

2011-10-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

Quality running socks and shoes can only protect your tooties so much. Eventually, the constant, repetitive friction against your shoe will result in a water blister forming under your toenail (turning it purple), with the toenail eventually yellowing, and then falling off. I have no problem with my toenails being purple- it just looks like you got a pedi from a blind man. The problem is when the yellowed, dead toenail half peels off, and the new one forming underneath grows out curving downward. So...my freakishly long toes + my new curved toenails = hooved beast feet. Hot.

I lost four toenails after running Hilo in March. Three have finally started to look normal again (took over 6 months!), with only one stubborn hold out. Unfortunately, kicking up my training for the ultra (only three weeks in) has already resulted in a new dead toenail. :-( I have to admit, however, that as bad as my feet look...a very accomplished runner on the other side of the Big Island (Steve Pavao) makes me look like a candidate to be a Prada footwear model. ;-) Check out his little piggies!

Wow. Wow. Wow. If you agree that he has earned the title of Ugliest Runner's feet, please take it upon yourself to visit this popular running blog, and vote for him! The contest is on the right side of the page, and if you agree his are the ugliest, please vote E! He's currently just slightly in the lead, so a little nudge from you might be just what it takes to help ensure this honored title goes to one of Hawaii's own. :-) Mahalo!

The fun month

2011-10-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

I'm embarrassed to admit that we opened our Halloween containers a few days ago. So not only has Ryan been falling asleep beneath bright orange Halloween lights & jack-o-lanterns for days, but we've also already assembled treat bags as well!

Yesterday at Home Depot while trying to find some Halloween storage containers (after doing a craft project)...Ryan hid from us. We still haven't found him, but he was last seen in this area of the lawn furniture department... ;-)

But since it's the fun month, today was Family Beach Day with all three boys, two of my three brothers, my parents and Rich. We loaded up two trucks with just the essentials- beach toys, snorkel gear, snacks and 18 spam musubis.

Ryan loved getting half buried by his cousin...

Then we figured why not try to bury all three of the monkeys together?

Or better yet, why not take advantage of their immobility and give 'em each some knockers?

They thought it was hysterical.

Maybe not so much in ten years though.

But hey, it's the fun month.

Tips for traveling with kids

2011-10-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

Ryan's first flight at 4 months old.

Anytime we return from a trip, we get asked a lot of questions about how we're able to travel so far with such a young child...so I thought I'd share a few of our travel tips. Believe it or not- we've taken Ryan on as many as 4 plane rides in a day, and have never had to check in a suitcase. We pack light. ;-)

How much stuff do you take?
Usually just a car seat, two backpacks and a few carry-ons. We don't use suitcases- they're too bulky and don't break down if they're not full. We've found that travel backpacks are easier to maneuver/fit into overhead bins and car trunks, and as a bonus- also allow us to keep our hands free (for hand holding, stroller pushing or snack-feeding).

Most importantly, assuming the weather is constant, we usually only take 3-4 changes of clothes per person. This does require some in-room laundering and/or a trip to a laundromat, but it's a huge space saver to bring a ziploc bag of detergent vs. 3 more sets of clothes. Tip: We also try to pack clothing that uses dri-fit material- they dry quickly, are light weight and do not wrinkle. I have dri-fit material shorts, pants, shirts, caps, gloves, long underwear, etc. They certainly won't help me get into Nobu on a Friday night, but at least I'm comfy, wrinkle free...and can even pork up a little on the trip and still button my pants. ;-)

Tip: Additionally, if space is tight, we also either wear or carry-on our bulkiest shoes/jackets (vs. packing them in the limited space of our backpacks). This is because three bulky down-filled Columbia jackets + three sets of Nikes can easily take up 2/3 of one backpack.

Tip: If you have an older, but still comfortable outfit/pair of shoes, don't toss 'em out. Set them aside for your next trip so you can wear 'em and leave 'em! You'll enjoy the added free space on the return home, someone will benefit from your kindness (you can place them on top of public trash cans for the homeless or leave them in the room for the maids). Also, if you happen to be in a third world country- your 'homelier' duds will help you look less wealthy and you'll enjoy less slightly harassment.

I've also invested in tons of little cosmetic jars (if you have a good relationship with your cosmetics rep, they can often give you sample travel sized containers) so that I only bring tiny amounts of shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, facial cream (vs. trying to pack the larger 3 oz. sizes).

Tip: If your bag is already pretty stuffed and you're worried you won't have room for souvenirs, bring along a soft bodied, recyclable bag that folds up. That way if you need it, you can use it as a carry on coming home, but you won't have to bring a bigger suitcase that needs to be checked in.

Tip: Checking a stroller and car seat are usually free, so take advantage of it if you need them. Be sure to wrap them in a trash bag/tape if you're worried about them getting dirty. Also, be sure to bring an extra trash bag/tape with you for the trip home too.

Tip: If you do pack a wrapped up car seat, we used to stuff Ryan's dozens of diapers in there (within a bag so they won't scatter) so we wouldn't waste space in our suitcase. They're lightweight, just bulky, and since it doesn't actually take any more of the aircraft's space...I didn't feel bad about this. :-)

What's easier? Flying in the day or at night?
When we were in our twenties and childless, taking a red eye was a no brainer- it was cheaper, and we got to fall sleep and wake up in another country. :-) It doesn't work that way anymore. Not only are we older, heavier and less comfortable on a 12-hour flight, but Ryan sleeps only sporadically and fitfully in flights (blaring in-flight announcements don't help), so we have to be on our toes the whole time. Suffice to say, we avoid red-eyes now (even though they cost us valuable vacation days), but it's far better to be healthy and well rested than exhausted and sick.

How do you entertain Ryan on the flight?
Nothing fancy here, I use the standard stuff- crayons, books, toys, healthy snacks (& not so healthy when you get really desperate), games, craft projects (I've even packed a watercolor set), tattoos, sticker books... Tip: Sometimes play dough will be seized by TSA, it's a toss up to bring it or not. But most invaluable (even though I hate to admit it)? A DVD player loaded with Ryan's favorite programs. However, I suggest reminding your child that the programs are only for the flight, and not for car trips or while dining (so they won't whine for it later). Tip: Netbooks generally have a much better charge than DVD players, AND you can take advantage of the free wireless at most hotels/coffee shops if you bring it. Also, do not forget your own headset/ear buds for your child. Not only are they required by some flight crews, but your child won't be able to hear the volume otherwise. Practice putting on the headset at home first if its their first time wearing one because it may take some getting used to.

Tip: Bring your child's favorite blanket, pillow or stuffed animal to help stimulate comfort and the sleep routine. INVALUABLE. We've been traveling with 'green bati' (Ry's favorite green blanket) since the year he was born and never leave home without it!

Also, I've never drugged him on a flight. Some people slip their kids a little liquid Benadryl to get them to sleep, with the thought being that having them go down keeps them on schedule and healthier (since planes are infamous for catching bugs in). I get it. But I didn't feel comfortable doing it when he was young, and at this point, he tends to go down once he's exhausted so I prefer to let his sleep happen naturally and be on the same sleep schedule together.

Do you bring a lot of your own food when you travel?
For the most part, no...however, I do think its important to bring enough food for the first few days. Initially, it's to make sure your child is content and healthy on the flight, and then enough for the first day or two so that you have enough time to find a grocery store and/or in case you get stranded somewhere and don't have access to healthy, affordable food for your child.

Depending on each airport and country, you can sometimes pack your own beverages for your child (I used to bring boxes of organic milk and juice to make sure Ryan was properly hydrated...but if you do- allot yourself an additional 20 minutes to get through security...trying to bring on an Earth's Best milk box is much worse than them finding a balloonful of cocaine up your buns, I swear). :-)

I try to pack foods that pack a lot of vitamins/moisture for Ryan (since keeping a child hydrated on a flight is always important). Pre-sliced carrot sticks, apples, pineapple, bananas and watermelon are great. I also make sure to pack his daily vitamins (a regular vitamin and an omega-3), and some healthy foods he's familiar with- like cashews, taro bread, fruit leather, dry cereal, etc. If we have layovers, I'll also usually try to pick up a cup of yogurt for him, some OJ/apple juice and a bran muffin.

Isn't it expensive traveling with a child?
It can be, and especially when you're flying from one of the most isolated places on Earth. But we tend to buy our tickets in advance, travel during the fall/winter (when fares/hotels are lower, attractions are less crowded) and where possible- try to book simple apartments with kitchenettes so we can eat in most meals (we usually do breakfast and dinner at home, but have lunch out so we still get to sample the local fare). I also like the idea of supporting a local family vs. a large, international hotel chain. Eating in a lot also means less stress at meal time- no more having to entertain a cranky toddler while you wait for a meal, and you also tend to eat healthier since you have more control over what goes in your body.

It also goes without saying that we take public transportation (bus/train) over renting a car/taxi and try to walk as much as we can. Not only is it cheaper and more energy efficient, its the best way to get to know an area, meet people and explore lesser known, but equally fascinating sights. If we need it, we nearly always pack the umbrella stroller over the jog stroller because its ten times easier to fit that in a train/bus (we get dirty looks sometimes with that one)!

We also almost never buy souvenirs. This is partly because I'm knick knack adverse, partly based on budget, but also because over time we realized that many souvenirs look tacky after awhile. I plead guilty to thinking it would be AWESOME to own not one, but TWO elephant-print silk skirts in Thailand. Barf. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and make ridiculous impulse buys.

We also tend to pre-select what kind of touristy activity we want to do (since I assure you, we are definitely not above participating in cheese ball, touristy, overpriced experiences) vs. getting sucked into doing them all. Sometimes it also helps to research in advance and find smaller, family-owned companies (that cannot afford the slick advertising of larger operations) that are more affordable and intimate than the bigger, impersonal ones.

Tip: A few months before you travel to any large metropolitan area, sign up for Living Social/Groupon deals for that area. I've scored a number of great meals, museum/theme park admissions this way...just pay attention to expiration dates!

Tip: Also, if you're unsure about whether or not a destination is right for you, rather than dropping $24.99 on a new guidebook at the bookstore- request one from the library first, or buy a used one from Ebay or Amazon. I also use Google and type in a city/country name plus the word "blog" to see other's experiences in that area vs. taking the word of an advertiser or travel agency. Yelp and Travelocity reviews also help a lot with attractions and accommodation.

I hope this has helped if you're thinking of braving the airways soon. It's best to start your children young so they're used to the flying vs. waiting until they're older. Ryan's been flying regularly since he was very young and he doesn't even flinch now when told we have to ride 2-3 planes, or having to sit with a seat belt on for 5-7 hours. I can't say he's pleased, but he understands the concept.

I promise, you can do this. Finding cheap tickets and accommodation are the biggest barriers to travel (for us anyway), so if you can get that under control- you can make any trip affordable and fun, even with Junior and all his diapers, soft foods, bottles, blankies and burp cloths... ;-)

Ultra Training Weeks #1 & 2

2011-09-26T20:10:00.000-07:00

Week #1-

Weights - þ

Walk - þ (6 miles)

Hills/Sprints- L

Med. Run-þ (7 miles)

Long Run-þ (11 miles)

Week #2-

Weights - þ

Walk - þ (6 miles)

Hills/Sprints- þ (8 hills/2 sprints)

Med. Run-þ (10 miles)

Long Run-þ (14.5 miles)

What I've learned:

I thought adding a second run each week was going to be tough, exhausting and something to be feared. Not the case at all. I actually feel stronger and more self confident.
During the hardest run in my life (week #1's medium run), all I wanted to do was quit. I was jet lagged, severely sleep deprived, dehydrated, bloated and out of shape from not having run so much as a single step during vacation. But I kept telling myself that if I couldn't run 8 miles with jet lag, there was no way I was going to be able to run 31 miles on race day. So I kept pretending it was race day and I had to ignore my dead legs. Worst run ever, but so glad I hobbled through and finished.
Even when you feel like the chubbiest, slowest runner out there, someone is driving by and thinking that you're a champ. And they're more right than you are...so quit the negative self talk/pity party and embrace the positive- you're out there. Your legs work. :-)
If you (re)read Chi Running and try to work on deeper breathing while running (and you do it with your mouth instead of your nose), you will consume some unintended protein (of the insect variety). Twice. So in one month, I've eaten a bite each of shark, whale and gnat. ;-) Sadly, the gnat tasted the best. BY FAR.
Best part of my long run on Sunday? Having this cell phone conversation with Ryan:

Ryan: Mama?

Me: Hi Ryan!

Ryan: Mama?

Me: Yes, Ryan?

Ryan: Mama?

Me: Ryan, I'm here.

Ryan: You want to know something very sad, mama?

Me: What happened, Ryan?

Ryan: It's very, very sad.

Me: Tell me what's sad, Ryan.

Ryan: There was no newspaper in the mailbox this morning...AND no mail either! *pouts*

Me: Aww, that IS very sad, Ryan.

Ryan: Yes, I'm VERY, VERY sad.

I can only hope no one else had such a SAD, SAD Sunday. ;-)

Ry in the month of September

2011-09-24T09:37:00.000-07:00

While our little guy is at his first sleepover in a long time with his cousin and my parents down at their condo, thought I'd catch up on some Ryan pics this month. :-)

Guess who just opened up the Halloween containers? (When you live on a small island, you get excited about the little things. I used to be mildly embarrassed by this fact, but no more.) I now embrace the fact that we don't have much to do- it keeps stress low and appreciation for personal relationships high. :-)

Getting silly! I wonder where he gets that from?

There are very little things in life more calming than being the first one on the beach in the morning...

Our little waterman finding his groove.

Hawaii's first toddler (sort of) tandem SUP team!

One day he will give me crap about the safety helmet...and I will deserve it. Still, worth the laughs.

Ryan's first time fishing with daddy and his cousins (who go shoreline fishing regularly and thankfully have ALL the equipment and experience we lack)...he caught a little hinalaya. Not sure who was more frightened, the fish or Ryan!

Seattle!

2011-09-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

We spent some time in Seattle both to and from Reykjavik to help break up the flying (mama ain't gettin' aaaany younger). Seattle and I go a long way back. My brother went to UW, so I flew there a lot in high school, then later- every year in college for a golf tournament. So when we flew there two years ago en route to Alaska (and again on this trip)- it was a happy reunion. Here a few pics of our time there!

Ryan hanging out with the pilot, discussing alternate flight patterns & thrusters and stuff. ;-)

There is nothing Ryan loves more than a train ride!

Checking out the famous Gum Wall in Seattle...pretty, but kinda gross.

One my favorite places on Earth- Pikes Market!

Not a lover of fish...but who doesn't love a fish market?

"Hollywood Ryan"

Doing naughty things with Uncle Joey!

Riding the elephant at the mall!

At the Rainforest Cafe checking out their wares, but seriously...I think Ry could rock purple hair!

Can't wait to go back to the Rainforest Cafe in Rancho with Aunty Kathy in January!

Bonus Iceland Footage & Out Takes! ;-)

2011-09-17T05:36:00.000-07:00

This was the beautiful home of our rented Reykjavik apartment owner, the lovely Anna Lara. While the apartment was being cleaned for our arrival, she invited us over and for breakfast (and even insisted that Ryan sleep in her bed). I will forever remember her kindness and generosity.

This was the bathroom of our apartment, which we loved. Ryan got to soak in the huge, deep tub a few times. We had some of the nicest showers while in Iceland, where the water couldn't be hotter (it takes longer to get cool water than hot because of the geothermal heat) or cleaner. Yes, there was a tiny bit of a sulphoric smell tinging the water at times, but I barely noticed, and frankly, didn't care about. I believe Iceland leads the charge in using something like 90% geothermal energy, and I hope the Big Island is on its way to mimicking that usage.

Ryan loved these steps leading up to the attic of Anna's apartment (it was a few minutes walk from her home)...they would never make code in the US! He loved to catapult himself off of them onto the sofa below!

Right outside our front door there was a newly renovated park for Ryan to play at, so this is where we spent nearly every evening. :-)

Ryan at the open air museum (that's a turf house in the background)...he couldn't have cared less about the place, all he wanted to do was run in the grass, fall down in it, play in their park and blow dandelions.

Ryan with his beloved Mickey Mouse (he recently discovered the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show) at the Kringlan mall. Thank you Grandpa, for paying the $2 rides for him since mommy wasn't going to choke it up.

A more impressive, futuristic view of the now defunct Perlan looming above the city (but only maybe a mile from our apartment).

Okay, so while this word doesn't technically mean "toilet," it refers to the family-style restroom. And c'mon, have you ever seen a funnier looking word for peeing and pooping? The entire trip Joey would announce, "I need to go snyrt!" or "Don't go in there! I was just snyrting." (Always classy that one!)

I remember seeing the cubed cantaloupe and watermelon in Japan over a decade ago, but never took a photo of it because it wasn't so unusual to see then. Now? Priceless. Sure, sure...they won't roll around in transit or in your cart, but is it worth the $30+ to buy one? 'Cause they don't look so hot.

I would have been one helluva Viking!

Our little angel picking dandelions at the park...I think God created them for our children's amusement.

Okay, so it's not Niagara...but it was still beautiful enough to leave your breathless.

On our last morning in Reyjavik, as we were rushing around trying to get out of the city (psst! Look! It's my dad reading my blog!), Ryan decided to "help" make his own breakfast. What a great helper he was! But it was so cute because he looked up at me with a huge grin and said, "Oh! I know what happened! If you turn the box upside down, the cereal comes out!" Hah-vahd, here we come!

I'd read that Icelanders love their sweets. But I had no idea that pretty much every single store in the land would have a large candy display. Seriously, Iceland does NOT mess around when it comes to candy.

Take note, America...THIS is how it should be.

Even though he's tall for his age, lanky and has light brown hair, I know he's mine whenever I see that smile...eyeballs not at all visible, chubby cheeks. All me. [proud]

Joey calls this his Match.com profile picture. He calls any picture like this that though. I have one too (scroll down below).

This was the day Ryan was chafed from his pants and we let him strip down to his skivvies (it wasn't very cold). Here he is being carried down the mountain, exhausted, by Uncle Joey.

Even though he couldn't have been less impressed by the lagoon or boat, Ryan did muster enough interest to hoist a piece of ice out of the water for us!

The senior component of the tour...which did not excuse my father from his one assigned duty on this trip- luggage loader! (No one can pack 18 suitcases, a golf bag and 23 carry on's into the trunk of compact like he can.) My mother's only job was photographer (she has the fanciest camera), but she also served as co-chef, dishwasher and nanny. :-)

The two bestsest buddies in the whole wide world!

Gramps taking his turn hauling ice out of the lagoon. All we were missing was the Malolo syrup! Interesting side note: This man can move boulders in 90 degree heat & humidity without complaint. But put him in 40 degree, breezy weather and he turns into a chattering, shivering little girl. He bundles up and hunkers down in the back of the van with the heat turned on high while his scrawny three-year old grandson frolics around outside half nude! Yes, I would be deeply ashamed too. I will let him know you think so as well.

Joey staged and took this photo of me for my own future Match.com photo! :-)

Okay, slightly creepy...but this is what my brother does with his scarf anytime he wants to snooze and doesn't want his head rolling around. He ties it to the chair back! Mind you, he does this on trains, planes and automobiles. But here's the thing- it works great! Free final tip: He claims if you tie it just right, you can also make an eye mask to block out light! Go on! Get your scarves out, try it. You'll see. Credit the source!

And one last time...the Blue Lagoon. They made me put floaties on Ryan because, and I quote- "If he drowns, we won't be able to find the body." Nice. Very reassuring. Oh, and if you happen to have eagle eyes from my other Blue Lagoon pictures- guess who wore a wet suit in Iceland? Ryan did! And it totally helped! Even though the water was heated (trust me, it doesn't help for long), he never once chattered and asked to leave. The best $15 (for a $60+ suit!) ever spent...taak fyrir eBay!

Day 8 - Keflavik

2011-09-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

Our last day in Iceland was spent in Keflavik (a former military base right near the international airport). Our accommodations were at a great B & B located right on base. Since Keflavik is a pretty small town, we headed down to the wharf so we could check out the sights.

Right near the harbor we found a restored Icelandic fishing boat that we got to climb up into.

No trip to a boat is complete without the cheese ball Titanic pose!

We also tried to teach Ryan how to salute Navy-style to dismiss us from the boat, one by one. Thought that would make his Navy vet Grandma proud!

Then we took him to a cave of a popular Icelandic children's character (a giant) that lives inside. There was the actual giant inside and giant-sized furniture to sit on, but I wasn't feeling it (the giant was kinda creepy). The giant had sound connected to it, and would periodically snore (& fart). However, they did have one very sweet element- a little tree inside covered in baby pacifiers! My guess is that reluctant children are herded there by their parents to deposit their pacifiers there as part of a ritual connected to the story. I guess the giant likes them.

From there we headed over to DusHuus, a cultural center that three different components to it- a historic boat museum, a museum of artifacts from the former US military base and an art gallery. Since I have an attention span of a 2-year old (with ADD) at these types of places, we didn't last all that long. :-) I'll be honest, due to our looming flight, our last day there we were having to dig pretty deep for entertainment.

However, I couldn't miss this great work of art at the gallery, which Rich entitled, "The Inviting Vagina." Aptly named. It will not be gracing my home anytime soon. I know the beauty of art is subjective, but um...really? A happy vagina? I guess its better than an unhappy vagina...

After our final few meals (I think we ate out 4 times over the last 2 days in an attempt to get our fill of the local cuisine), we took an evening flight back to Seattle. Our flight route took us right over Greenland, which was THRILLING for me. I've flown over icy territory before (Russia), but there's something about Greenland that just fascinated and captivated me. It looked so utterly harsh, desolate, unforgiving...and yet...beautiful. I would love to visit there...for a day. I can easily handle temps in the 40s & 50s, and I could even handle three cold winters in Japan in a freezing, drafty old apartment. But I draw the line at daily sub-zero temps. I just don't think it would be all that fun, day after day. Once I built an Igloo, made a snowman and got to see my boogers freeze, I'd be over it and ready to head to the mall or something. ;-)

The only downside of this trip (and its hard to come up with anything), is that I was initially sick (cough! cough!), and we had an ah...little snafu in Seattle at our first hotel. I will not name it here because I've already exacted my revenge with a scathing, but honest Travelocity review (Joey did the same on Yelp while it happened...love social media!). In a nutshell- we had printed, confirmed reservations for two rooms made back in December. However, after presenting them, we were told that they were already full, and to basically scram. Without apology. When we politely insisted that they could do more (by honoring our reservation/rate and booking us with their nearby sister property), we were told to beat it (again), or the cops would be called since I was being "hostile and pushy and rude." Though I was definitely insistent, I never raised my voice, name called or resorted to any type of so-called hostile behavior (my father was standing next to me the entire time). After a few minutes of the manager's howling to leave or the cops would be called, we figured we were wasting our time with a complete cuckoo bird and left. Thankfully, we found other better accommodation for those three nights quite easily and quickly. It did cost more, however, and I briefly debated writing a letter to management in an attempt to recoup the difference, but wisely decided to move on with my life. I will say though, that in all my years of travel (nearly 20 years), I've never had a confirmed reservation lost. So this hotel is a real class act.

I have a few more photos of the trip I'd love to post that didn't quite make the cut the first go 'round, so this isn't the end of the trip photos just yet. :-) I would rate this vacation as one of the best ever- the flights were short and on fantastic carriers (oh, it makes a difference!), the weather was spectacular, we didn't encounter a SINGLE tout (heck, we barely saw anyone outside of Reykjavik), we discovered skyr yogurt (puts Greek yogurt to shame...why is this not their greatest export?), enjoyed some swank accommodations (by OUR standards), we accomplished everything we wanted to see/do (and more!), and even though it was more expensive than Tokyo in many ways- we made it reasonably affordable. Children's t-shirts were about $33 everywhere, a child's wool hat was about $42, a third of a tank fill up ran us $91 US with a $6.50 foreign transaction fee... Thankfully, I'm not a souvenir girl (the same cannot be said for my other half), and Ryan never asks for stuff, so the high prices didn't bother me much. I get it. It's an island, everything is shipped from Europe, which is already pretty pricey. We know how that feels. :-)

Iceland was a unique combination of Hawaii (volcanoes), Alaska (glaciers), California (think Yellowstone ambiance) and of course- Iceland. ;-) The Blue Lagoon, Jokulsarlson (glacial lagoon) and the turf houses all made my top three list of things to do there. I loved the country (and company!) more than I ever thought I would, and would love to go back...except that there is always so much more I want to see/do before I begin repeating destinations.

In fact, we already decided on the destination of our next international trip (eve before we got to Iceland). In November of 2012, if all goes well, we hope to be rockin' the kasbah (or riyadh) in Morocco. Joey's definitely in (he's always in, he loves not having to plan, and we love having a manny!), but my parents are waffling (they will be convinced, trust me). ;-)