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Kool-Aid Gang

Woh. This is us just a “few” years ago. We met at UH’s Frosh Camp program and became lifelong friends. Miles coined the nickname the “Kool-Aid Gang” way, way back….

Thanks to Sharon & Donna, we’ve kept in touch over the years via our annual Christmas party at the Natsunoya Tea House. Good times!

We book a private room 1-year in advance. It’s truly become our tradition. We were upgraded to the “deluxe” room this year. It used to be reserved for the Samurai Sword Society of Hawai’i. Rumor has it that the members drank too much sake last year, and an argument broke out….

The food is ono, and the conversation is always amazing. We talk about family, work, travel, and UH Football woes. Sometimes Alan will drop a Barack Obama story. Mainly, we just catch up on each other’s lives. And we laugh out loud.

Besides the usual Grab Bag, we always play Donna’s hilarious dice game. おもしろい! Lordric was the big winner this year. Too fun.

So blessed to have these people in my life.

“If you let me,
I could be your good friend
I know that if you let me
We could walk together

We’re not so different you know
Though we may have different dreams
When they fall apart, we hurt the same it seems

I’m so sure, so don’t you bet me
I just know that if you let me
I’ll show you that I could be your good friend

Someone to share your good times
Someone who you can count on
That someone who, when you turn to,
Won’t turn away”

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Thankful….

….for everything.

Last year, I posted my Thanksgiving Top 10 list. This year, I would like to add “everything else.”

Vince lives in the park next to my church. We met him through our outreach ministry at Inspire City. Vince is an amazing person. He went through difficult circumstances. He is an inspiration for me. I now see things differently. Vince has changed my life, and I am thankful to know him. And I will never take anything for granted….

“Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks….”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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What a (Re)treat!

Our Kamehameha ETS Team held its annual retreat on November 13-14. It was a great two days of team building, service, and fellowship. We started the day with a tour of Kawaiaha’o Plaza to learn about our different departments at KS. Then we got to visit the Our Kaka’ako office.

We were given a walking tour of Kaka’ako and visited some of the businesses. Here we are relaxing in one of the “parklets”.

Then it was lunch time. We drove down to the Alley Restaurant at ‘Aiea Bowl. This is the signature dish, the Tasty Chicken. Noms.

Then it was “game on.” Unfortunately, I did not bring my “A” game. I believe my lackluster performance was due to the pink trim on the shoes.

We had an absolute blast! It was a great 1st day….

The morning of Day 2 was dedicated to service projects. Our group was given the theme of “conservation.” We volunteered to help out the Kumuola Foundation in Mānoa Valley.

We spent a few hours weeding around the taro patches. Not a bad office view….

Here’s our group pic with Kuki from the Kumuola Foundation. Photo courtesy of @summer_sun.

Lunch was at Dave & Buster’s in Ward. We had a private room and shared presentations about our service projects. We were treated to a buffet lunch and Power Cards. Too fun!

Mahalo to our amazing team and our amazing leaders for a great retreat. What a treat….

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Moleskine

I have a Moleskine Notebook. I use it to jot down thoughts and ideas. Sometimes I feel the need to “unplug” and just use a pen to think & create. I’ve drawn cartoons, compiled lists, composed songs, and even ranted in this little notebook.

I use it for journaling, especially on trips. I take notes to remember things. Then I usually post to my blog when I get back home.

Sometimes I use it for Bible study. Journaling helps me to retain scripture better. It makes it “stick.”

I have taken my Moleskine to Australia, Italy, Spain, Thailand, China, and France. It has become a memento of some of the best times in my life….

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Kalihi Noms….

Every year I come out with a list of my Top 10 favorite places to eat near campus. Here’s the new one….

10. Family Roots Café has great panini sandwiches. The bread is toasty & crunchy and the ingredients are always fresh.

9. Pongo’s Kitchen has an amazing Sesame Chicken plate. I think it’s the best chicken dish in town.

8. Natsunoya Tea House has great food and is located behind our campus. We cater our bentos from here.

7. ‘Akahi Dining Hall is our very own cafeteria on campus. Ono Hawaiian food! We’re so blessed, but the wait in line for students can be quite long at times.

6. Nico’s Pier 38 has great seafood and ambience. What I like best here are the desserts! The Salted Caramel Crunch is crazy….

5. Lili’s BBQ is a new place at the end of King Street. One word, “brisket.”

4. Kikuya has become our EdTech Team’s go-to place for celebrations. We’ve become “regulars.”

3. Ethel’s Grill just reminds me of my childhood. This is pure comfort food.

2. Alicia’s Market across of Nimitz has a vast selection of poke and ridiculous Crispy Roast Pork. So ono….

1. My #1 fave is Helena’s Hawaiian Food. The Short Ribs Pipikaula is incredibly awesome! The short ribs hang from the kitchen’s ceiling before being fried up. I believe that the secret ingredient to its amazing flavor is the cook’s hair gel rubbing against the dangling meat.