Home. I was fortunate enough to go home for New Years. It was under sad circumstances, but nonetheless I was happy and grateful to be home with family and friends. I also orchestrated the most awesome surprise ever. I managed to keep my trip home a secret from roomie Priya. All day I kept texting her telling her to call me when she was done with dinner so we could talk. But she didn't call me, so I decided to just stop by the Citron House and try to see if she was home. Luckily the front door was open and she was home. My dad says he could hear her scream from the street. Mission accomplished.
New Years Eve was spent with family, doing our Kawachi traditions, eating our Kawachi style New Years foods. I met up with Priya, Leanne, Kat, and Amy at The Edition, oh ahem excuse me, the Modern. And danced, danced, danced the night away, with bottle service, it was nice. Not wanting the party to end, we went to go watch the first sunrise of the new year at Christmas Tree park in Kaimuki. It was AMAZING. I got to visit the Bong, watch the Cowboys-Giants game at Kanpai, hang with Matty and paddleboard, watch the sunset at Magic Island, eat at I-Naba, Highway Inn, Paina Cafe, AND foodland poke. It was good to be home.
I'm not sure if it was because I haven't been away that long, it felt like I never left. I fell right back into EXACTLY what I was doing before I left. It was nice but it realized why I moved. I love my life in Hawaii and the people who make it amazing. But Seattle has challenged me to open up to new people and a different lifestyle, to become more independent, and to grow up a little. I know one day I'll be back, but I'm not so sure when, the adventure is really just beginning.
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I've been in a writers block lately. Here's what's been goin on in the 206:
-Fun times with Seattle friends. Dinners, finding new bars, restaurants, etc.
-Work, work, work. And looking for more work.
-Snowmageddon (pictures to come)
-Chris Evans marathon and finally watched Bridesmaids. Seriously love both, Chris Evans and Bridesmaids.
-Finally watched the much anticipated documentary: Beats, Rhymes, and Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest. AMAZE-BALLS.
-Watched Tom Brady and my Pats reach the Superbowl.
-Watched Tom Brady and my Pats get their ass handed to them by Eli and the Giants. Damn you Eli.

This is Gas Works Park, and I fell in love with it the moment I laid eyes on it. Right on Lake Union, old coal gasification plants (which reminds me of Howl's Moving Castle, or some sort of foreign land found in Hayao Miyazaki's films), beautiful landscaping designed by architect Richard Haag, the view of downtown Seattle across the water is amazing. I love the zigzag pathways, green grass, and the benches. I could probably spend all day here, taking photos. So glad my mom and I decided to make a pit stop here. If I had a car, I'd be visiting here weekly (probably after the Fremont Flea Market). Just beware of the dog poop, it seemed to be everywhere! Seriously dog owners, don't be lazy.

On another note, only 11 days til Christmas! It's my favorite holiday, I wish I could last all year round. I just watched the Glee Christmas episode, and it hit me as I watched Rory and Sam talk about being away from their families, that this will be my first Christmas away from home. SURE I've pretty much worked EVERY Christmas since 2003 (thank you Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Honolulu Advertiser and Billabong Waikiki), but I always came home to a hot meal and my family, and I'd at least used to be able to spend the morning opening presents with them. Except one year I remember working Christmas Eve night (probably at the newspaper) and then opening Christmas morning at the Bong, opening presents at the Citron house with Priya. Last year I came home to lobster and steak cooked by my sister, and was watching Return of the Jedi. What will I do this year with Wayne? We have been invited to spend it with my cousin Chiemi, Odessa, and Oveena and their families in Bremerton. But after watching glee, I thought it would be nice volunteering at a food bank or somewhere where they provide meals for the homeless or less fortunate. I've googled a few places, but I can't seem to find any open on Christmas. I'm gonna keep searching... wish me luck.

Ala Moana Center, Christmas 2010, with my favorite ladies

Saw this on Tiera's blog and being a Christmas lover, I decided to give it a whirl.

1, Egg nog or hot chocolate? Apple Cider! I do love that Starbs start selling the salted caramel hot chocolate tho.

2, Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped, and sometimes you can tell when he got lazy and just put in a gift bag.

3, Colored or white lights on the tree/house? My family does colored, and sometimes my dad uses the moving kind, oh we fancy, huh.  Our little tree has white, we went with a red and silver theme.

4, Do you hang mistletoe? I ALWAYS hang mistletoe, and I keep it up ALL year long, you never know when it comes in handy. I find it quite charming. 

5, When do you put up your decorations? Right after Thanksgiving. Currently missing the Citron house decorations (our stockings lined over the bar, the wreath the Anna stole from somewhere, the singing snowman, the homemade ornaments, Priya's tinsel).

6, What is your favorite holiday dish? My grandma's candied yams! Then all of our traditional New Years decorations.

7, Favorite holiday memory as a child? We used to always do the same thing for years... wake up, wash up (my parents make us get ready before opening presents, lame right), present opening, go to grammsy's house for breakfast and have her and gramps open their gifts (while listening to either Na Leo or Yanni Christmas Albums), come back home watch Star Wars (it usually was on during the holidays), then head over to my Aunty Dee-Dee's house for Christmas dinner. We haven't done this in a good 8 years sadly.

8, When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I'm a smart girl, I kinda figured it out, especially when my parents suggest we leave out beef jerky, instead of cookies.

9, Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? NO WAY, my family is totally against opening gifts early.

10, How do you decorate your Christmas tree? My mom is a Hallmark ornament collector, we put our favorites and new ones that we bought this season (we're putting up an awesome Harry Potter one this year, I have my The Office ornaments too!). The Citron tree was always covered with an assortment of handmade and store bought ornaments Priya and my mom would donate, I also would buy Hello Kitty or Sanrio ornaments. Here in Seattle, I bought cute little ornaments from iKea and Target, our centerpiece ornament is a glee ornament I found at Target. 

11, Snow! Love it or dread it? I have mixed feelings, I'm sure I'll hate it the day it screws me over as I try to get to work ON TIME.

12, Can you ice skate? Heck yes, Ice Palace whaaaat.

13, Do you remember your favorite gift? My iPod touch was pretty sweet, I'd been wanting one for a long long time. Also seeing my skateboard under the tree in high school. 

14, What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Family and friends.

15, What is your favorite holiday dessert. Anything my sister makes, also lately my cousin Keola has been bringing Otto Cake to our family functions, how can you not love some Otto Cake.

16, What is your favorite holiday tradition? Driving up the street or through downtown to look at lights on houses.

17, What tops your tree? An Angel.

18, Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? I love giving gifts!!!!!! I love love love shopping for people.

19, Cande canes: Yum or yuck? I love candy canes.

20, Favorite Christmas show? Hands down: A Charlie Brown Christmas Special.

21, Saddest Christmas song? Please Come Home for Christmas - The Eagles. Oh and Christmases When You Were Mine by Taylor Swift (song was on repeat last year hard core).

22, Favorite Christmas song? See list below:

1. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays - 'N Sync (ok really the whole 'N Sync Christmas album)
2. All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah
3. This Christmas - Chris Breezy
4. Merry Christmas Baby - Otis Redding
5. Last Christmas - Glee Version
6. Christmastime in Hollis - Run DMC
7. The Chipmunk Song - Alvin and the Chipmunks
8. And So This Is Christmas - John Lennon
9. Christmastime is Here - The Vince Guaraldi Trio
10. Mele Kalikimaka - Reel Big Fish
11. I Wont Be Home for Christmas - Blink-182
12. My Only Wish (This Year) - Britney Spears
13. Hey Santa - Wilson Phillips
14. It Must've Been Ol' Santa Claus - Harry Connick Jr.

A few photos from Sunday's field trip to Fremont and Gasworks Park. More to come later, as my mom visited for over a week :) and I was able to get some good field trips in with her. The holidays are coming up fast, Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, soon it will be 2012. Where did 2011 go. I noticed I didn't blog much, too busy trying make the most out of every minute of life.
Weather has been sucky lately, but I've noticed if it rains it's not as cold as when it isn't raining. I've been contemplating taking a photography class in the spring. I wonder if UW has an outreach college like at UH. haha. The best thing about the weather is wearing all the nice fall clothes - boots, sweaters, tights, knee socks. I love it.
Work is busy busy busy. Who knew department store/mall working is more tiring than supervising a buncha monkeys at billabong.

The holidays are finally done. I spent my holidays with my family. Christmas was good to me, the photo above shows some of my favorite gifts, my Sony Bloggie (video blogs to come!), my Star Wars sandwich cutters from Wayne, my books, and countless iTunes gift cards. New Years Eve was spent blowin up some fireworks. It's the last year for fireworks here, so it went off this year. My neighbor across the street was so kind and gave a whole big box of fireworks! So much fun playing around my sister, it made me miss spending New Years at my Gramsy's house in Aiea. The Kawachi family would get together, eat our traditional foods (kuromame, kazunoku, soba, maki sushi, roast pork, char siu, and fresh sashimi), and spend the WHOLE night setting off fireworks. After the clock strikes 12, we head over to Daijingu to get blessed, get our omamori, and our fortunes. Last year my fortune said excellent and the year didn't turn out so excellent. This year it said pretty good, so I'm hoping it turns into pretty great. So here goes...

Hello 2011, I've never been so excited for the new year.

Watched Practical Magic last night with the roomies and Sandra Bullock mention planting lavender for luck. Which then reminded me of Alii Kula Lavender Farm. My dad knows the owner and I was able to chat with her at the Made in Hawaii festival a few months ago. What I found so inspiring was that she started this farm on a whim. She just felt that this was her calling. I'd like to find that.

I've been kind of in a blogging rut. No motivation. I don't know why. So here goes...

Glee. So it's official I'm a Gleek, it's my newfound love. Last season I watched it off and on, wasn't hooked. Anna got season 1, disc 1 from Netflix and now I'm hooked. I actually own the complete season 1 on dvd, and iTunes has been banking off of my Glee downloads. I should've known I was going to get hooked this bad, I do love a good song and dance with hot guys (ahem Finn Hudson and Noah Puckerman and Mike Chang). I make everyone listen to the soundtrack and secretly wish Krazy Karaoke would have Glee versions of songs. Dork, I know, please don't slushy me.

My photoging has been uninspired lately. Wayne and I did take a trip up to the heiau, but I couldn't find my photoging swag.

Actually I can't seem to find much of anything. Christmas is in full swing, and none of my usual holiday season loves has gotten me into the spirit. Shopping is tiresome, the music is way too cheerful and sappy (don't ask, I know you're thinking but she just downloaded like half of the Glee soundtrack, talk about sappy), the lights haven't entranced me, not even our house Christmas card. I'm just a total Scrooge this season. Bah humbug.

1.   Black Friday is       is my arena and boy do kick some major ass   .

2.  Christmas shopping this year will include   last minuteness, I'm usually SO on it, but after everything that's happened over the last 2 months I've been slackin on the shoppin (for others)  .

3.  Holiday shopping makes me       happy, I love shopping for other people, and getting that perfect gift. Well usually, this holiday season has been lackluster so far     .

4.  This year my Christmas list will include   an iPod Touch with Camera, glee season 1, The Office season 6, Gossip Girl season 3, and happiness   .

5.  Bargain hunter, or full price shopper?      I'm a bargain hunter, I do find ridiculously great deals on random crap .

6.  The best and worst things about shopping is        spending money I don't have.    .

7.  Online shopper or in-person shopper?       In person of course, nothing beats the thrill of the chase in person     .

I know, I know super slacking as this is Fill in the Blank Sunday NOT Friday. But unlike half of the world I had to work on Friday and missed just my 2nd black friday in the last 10 years probably. (The first one was when I was on Maui after my grammsy passed away, this one I just didn't have the energy to wake up early and go before work). Sad times, but at least I saved money... hopefully I did go shopping throughout the weekend. haha. How was your black friday? Fill In The Blank Friday

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Now that I think about it this holiday season has been lackluster, I just haven't gotten into the spirit. Usually I'm counting down the days 'til Christmas. This year the only thing I'm looking forward to is watching the glee Christmas episode. I have to work on Christmas night I believe, not fun. I really just want this year to be done with, so I can start the new year fresh. I have high hopes for 2011, I'm ready for it to start.

Vday/S.A.D.

Valentine's Day by kawachizzle featuring James Perse t shirts

V-day/S.A.D. is coming up, I'll probably be spending it alone... again. Here's what I'd like/wear if I'd had plans:

+new Ray-Bans (still trying to decide what color to get)

+AA prarie dawn and betty lou canvas tote.

+picnic

+sosuke and ponyo

+plane ticket to maui

+iPod touch

+james perse t-shirt dress

+grey tights

Back from Japan

Konnichi wa!! I had an amazing time with family in Tokyo over the past week. I twas sad to come back home, a week is definitely NOT enough time to visit Japan. We stayed in the Tokyo area and did not get the chance to venture off to other cities like Kyoto, Osaka, or Hiroshima, but one day, one day. I don't like saying this was a once in a lifetime trip, because that's like implying that you're never going to go back. And I can tell you, this is definitely NOT my last trip to Japan, this is only the beginning.

My dad saved up ALLLLL his miles to take us on this trip, isn't he the greatest. One day I'd like to do the same, after I win the megabucks in Vegas this coming July. :) Actually I am really considering living in Japan, teaching english through either JET or another good program. It's hard to get in but I'm going to try and apply this coming fall. My nihongo is a little bit rusty, but I'm pretty sure I can get by. A lot of people we talked to said that my nihongo was very joozu (skillful). Arigatoo gozaimashita Wong sensei.

I think I gained some weight from eating all the ono food; tempura, omurice, Japanese style hamburger steak, donburi, and don't forget Mister Donut....AHHHHH I was in food heaven. Here's some pics:

Above: Eating at Mister Donut, my Kid's Set.

Above: My family and I atop the Tokyo Tower.

Above: In Asakusa.

Above: YAY Tokyo!

Above: Shaka with Stitch at DisneySea.

Above: With the beloved Hachiko!

The 2008 hate

2008 was a rough year. I went from happy newspaper part-timer/billabong full-timer to newspaper full-timer/billabong part-timer and just when I thought I've found my career niche now I'll be back to newspaper part-timer/billabong full-timer. I've changed my health insurance 3 times (4 of you count the three months I was on COBRA). My boyfriend said he was going to move back to Maui in May to end up only coming back 2 weeks later to finish school then move back to Maui for good in October. I paid $60 bucks at the gas pump to fill up my '99 Camry. And the worst part was losing my dear Grammsy.

I know, I know, my year could've been way worse, and I am grateful for everything in my life that didn't go wrong. It's just that overall, it was a pretty crappy year. The year wasn't a total waste I did get to see Chris Breezy in concert, fell in love with Gossip Girl, went to my first Birthday Bash, voted for Barrack Obama, my Project Runway pick finally won, got a blackberry, saw HSM3 in theaters, and whoa did Lauren and Heidi actually have a civil conversation last week on the Hills?!?

I'm SO ready for 2008 to be over, only about 14 hours left. Time for a new year and a fresh positive start.

"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!?"

"'8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Nothing gets me into the holiday spirit more than curling up with my Linus van Pelt blankie (really! it's an official Linus blankie, look for it at urbanoutfitters.com) and watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas." I actually watch the special year-round (gives me the warm fuzzies during spring showers and the summertime slump). If you don't own it or haven't watched it yet, YOU ARE MISSING OUT! If you can find it comes in a holiday three pack with "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" and "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving." two other great Peanuts classics.

One of my favorite scenes in "A Charlie Brown Christmas," is when all the kids are dancing. Look for the twins, they're hilarious. Watching it now, I didn't realize how much I didn't understand and catch about the show when I was little. Schulz's subtle sarcasm and jokes, as well as the true meaning of Christmas, I only now fully understand as an adult.

It's That Time of Year

You can smell it.... Black Friday is COMING. THE biggest shopping day of the year. I live for this day (sad I know), me and my BFF Wayne plan for it every year, it's pretty much a tradish for us. We usually go to Waikele, leave at around 11 p.m. get there by midnight, shop til like 2 in the morning. I love the thrill of the hunt. This year though I've decided to take it easy, don't get me wrong, I'll be shopping Friday, but I'll be shopping more wisely going to places where I specifically saw things I'd like to buy as gifts.

Actually I'm about half done with my Christmas shopping, yes I'm one of those people who started their holiday shopping in July. I enjoy shopping for other people and finding that perfect gifts for loved ones. My mom says I could be a great personal shopper, give me your list, a budget, a little background on the people you are shopping for, and... I'll definitely find you the best deal in town.