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.

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.

Brrrr it's cold. I have been complaining for the last hour or so that it's cold, as I sit wearing a tank top and some gilly hicks shorts. Idiot I am, but I refuse to spend days in sweat pants. I refuse. We have heaters here in the apartment, but I'm scared to use them, I never used one ever, what if it gets too hot. Seriously I get how awesome Snuggies could be because I totally want one right now, my arms are getting cold while I type this blog.
This week has been interview week, so far 3 interviews, 1 job fair, 2 more interviews planned for Thursday and Friday. I did accept a part time position somewhere, which I start on Tuesday. Or Monday? Eek better double check that one. I still want something full time with better pay, so I'm gonna keep applying, and keep interviewing. But at least its a start.
The photos above are from our field trip to Port Angeles for their Dungeness Crab Fest. We had some amazing food: Scallops and rice pilaf, seafood pizza, roasted corn on the cob, crab cakes, crab bisque, crab quiche, and the most amazing pumpkin pie. So much good food!! On the way back I was able to get a shot of the Seattle skyline at night from the ferry.
Oh and can you smell it... it's one of my favorite times of the year.... it's post season baseball time! :) Unfortunately none of my teams has moved on to the division championships... Mariners (not even close),  Red Sox (robbed at the end of the season), and the Phillies (lost in the NLDS to King Al and his damn Cardinals). So I am currently routing for the Tigers, because 1) they defeated the Yankees in the ALDS and 2) I think they have the hottest pitching rotation in the league.... Seriously look at this:

On the left is Doug Fister, to the right Rick Porcello, and then add Justin Verlander... DAMN Tigers. Fister was actually just traded to Tigers in August, prior to that he was with the Mariners. How I missed him on the Mariners roster is beyond me? Probably too busy stalking Ichiro, that's why. And whats worse, he pitched for Fresno State, meaning, I've seen him pitch during college too. I was probably too busy checking out our own baseball team. hehe. 

 

It's been 3 weeks here in Seattle, still jobless. Currently praying for a position at Nordstrom, in their web fulfillment department. Seriously CROSSING MY FINGERS on this one!!! I also recently discovered the public library which is within walking distance. Super stoked because I left home not finishing Harry Potter. Seriously Order of the Phoenix was the worst in the series, I could not get past that book. So I skipped ahead and am currently in the middle of Half-Blood Prince (which Priya will probably shake her head at, she hates when I skip!). Anybody have any good book suggestions? Don't know what I'll read next after I get through Deathly Hallows.
Decided to give you a tour of my small room, I swear it's like half the size of my old room in the Citron house. I've finally graduated from a twin size bed to full.... whoa whoa talk about growing up. I decided to stick with the NYC theme I had from before, found a great map of the city at iKea, and my dad mailed over my Breakfast at Tiffany's poster. Actually my family has been great with mailing over some stuff from home that makes my room 10 times more homely. Blankets, my clock radio, a few of my favorite stuffed animals, my curtains from the Citron house, trinkets, etc. My bookshelf has a mini Star Wars theme, with some of my favorite toys on display (Obi-Wan nesting dolls, R2-D2 action figure, my toys of Goofy and Stitch as Chewy and Yoda), accented with framed pictures of family and friends. My laptop takes center stage, as it also serves as my "TV" so I can watch movies in bed. Sadly I've been downgraded to 1 small closet, which is only half full as most of my clothes are still back home. I found this great collage picture holder from Urban Outfitters for only $5! I filled it with photos of back home-beaches, surf, turtles, and friends. Even though my room is pretty small, like Tim Gunn says I made it work!

And so it begins.... Seattle life. Many people have asked why Seattle? I'm beginning to think that myself... First off...well let's be real here. If Wayne wasn't moving to Seattle, I probably wouldn't have moved either. Second, I have a few cousins and friends here (Richie and J-Lab call me up btw!). Third, I love Nordstrom and the Mariners, both of which Seattle is home to. The third seems like a silly reason but, it's so true.

Seattle life has been ... ok, so far. It's only been a week and I constantly have to remind myself this is not a vacation. I have to find an actual job, set up an actual bank account, and I actually have to pay rent for my 2 bedroom apartment. The apartment was a great find, just outside of the U-District, across the street from a Safeway, near a main road (which makes sleeping feel like I'm back at the Citron house because I used to be able to hear all the going ons on Kalakaua). The thing I'm most pleased about was my furniture choices, thank you ikea! But my walls are still bare, a constant reminder that I'm new here, and that the apartment and I are still getting to know each other.

I can't wait to find a job and start making new friends (as in new people to play beer pong/kings cup, watch football games on Sunday with). Haven't seen any potential bfs, honestly I haven't seen anyone remotely attractive looking. Also I hear Washington was voted one of the worst dressed states in America, I can totally see why. I get it's cold and dreary but do your clothes have to be the same? I decided to spruce up my cold weather attire with a cute bright red thrifted gap coat I picked up at the Buffalo Exchange, and some cute ivory and navy rainboots. Take that non-fashionable Washington!

I do miss home... a LOT! There are a lot of H people (attitude wise), people just aren't as friendly here, what is it about Hawaii that people are just happier. And don't say it's the aloha spirit... my guess is that the island is so small that everyone pretty much knows everyone and if you're not friendly to someone you could probably get couple slaps from your friend's-aunty's-second nephew's-yard man's-sister. I miss the sun, and I swear my tan is starting to fade, crap. I miss my family and friends, I miss Friday and Saturday nights with Priya and Leanne. 

I think once I get a job, I'll be much more at piece with this decision to move. I've been applying like crazy to Nordstrom and Starbucks (in-office jobs), trying real hard not to get back into retail. So wish me luck. And hopefully I'll be able to update this thing more often (I know, I know, totally slacked during the summer, I couldn't help it, there were dance floors to be danced on, and gladiator shots to be taken!).

Best summer EVER. You know those summers where you feel time is going by too fast and you wish it would just slow for a minute, the weekends are epic, the stories are hilarious, there are inside jokes and catchphrases, days are carefree and adventurous, finding yourself and realizing what amazing friends you have... I'm having one of those summers. Maybe it's because I'm moving, I've quit the Bong, but I just want to hold onto every good time I have with my friends and family just a little longer.

I leave in about 3 weeks, and I have so much I want to do. Fortunately for the sake of this blog, my Saturday night plans were cancelled (due to a tired Priya, a rare moment), now I have the time to update. Malia left about 2 weeks ago, I already miss her. I miss Anna also. I stay at the Citron house pretty much every weekend. And though I do love the Priya's new roomies, Kat and Amanda, coming here feels almost like going over to a strangers house. The Citron house isn't home to me unless I'm with Priya, Anna, and Malia (or SPAM as Malia has dubbed us). It took me and Anna a few years to find the right roommate chemistry, and we did I'm glad it lasted this long. We've been through so much together, life without these girls to come home to will be a big adjustment.

What else is new... watched the glee 3D concert movie. It was amazeballs, wish I could've gone. I can't wait to move to Seattle so I can go to all these great concerts, almost everyone stops in Seattle. I've also started watching How I Met Your Mother (thank's in part to nothing new on TV to watch, so I've been watching reruns of the show on Lifetime). I finally see what Anna has been loving these past couple of years. Marshall Eriksen, totally wanna marry him (seriously PERFECT TV character guy I'd want to marry ever, sorry Jim Halpert, you've just been dropped to second place). Within two weeks I've bought all 5 seasons on DVD.

Rain rain go away, I would like to run and ride my bike today. Actually just running, if I don't run every other day I feel like a fat ass. And with all these new Japanese restaurants I've been eating like a heffer. So weather please clear up so I can go for my every-other-day run. I don't know how I will ever stand Seattle weather, if I move up there. And I hate going to the gym, I'm more of a get outdoors kind of workout person. I feel like it takes too much effort to go to the gym. Ok so it actually stopped raining, and I plopped my lazy ass down in the papa san chair and I've been just watching glee videos on youtube for the past hour. At least I'm not watching General Hospital. I go through sporadic periods where I get into GH, last time this happened I think it was 2 years ago when Robin and Patrick were having a baby. Then I try to catch myself up to speed with the story lines, then I get sucked back by all the hot guys because let's face it of all the soap operas GH has the hottest cast (hello Dr. Patrick Drake).

Well back to my Cali trip recap... I hope to be back soon. I'm having some serious withdraws. The whole reason for this glorious trip was for Kristin's wedding. The first girl from our Krazy 8 to get hitched, and I couldn't be more happy for her. The wedding was at MOLAA Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, outdoors, cold, but beautiful. The reception was held in the museum (super cool and gave me ideas for my future non-existenet wedding... hmmm dinosaurs at the Bishop Museum or the Contemporary Museum gardens?!?). As guests walked in there was a mini-photo booth, which we camera whores (me, glo, and kay) took full advantage of later. And we danced and drank (well just me) the night away. It was great to be back all together. Congratulations to Kristin and Gabe, here's to a happy, loving, blissful life together!!!

I don't know what is about weddings but it always makes you think of how you want your wedding to be, you dream about who you will marry (hopefully a cross between sweet Finn Hudson, funny Jim Halpert, and hot Patrick Drake). How you're ceremony will be, who you will have to cut from the guest list, the dance playlist, colors, bridesmaid dresses (Fighting Eel)... oh weddings.  All I can say is 5 years from now I'm still planning on having a Glee wedding.

I'm becoming quite the east-side adventurer, if I say so myself. Ok well maybe not so adventurous because I keep revisiting the same beaches, the same hikes. But I pretty much go every weekend. I had so much fun going sunrise hiking with my coworker Matt, I made Wayne come with me on a hike the week after. I thought it would be a great photog adventure, and that we'd get some great photos of the sunrise and hopefully some whales. Unfortunately everytime I busted out the camera, the whales decided to go back into the ocean. Bastards.  But at least I got some good photos of our hike and of Wayne.
After we headed to Cafe Kaila for some breakfast, but had some awful service... well not service as a whole, awful seating service, read my Yelp review.

Team Billabong Waikiki

I've been getting basketballin on lately. I forgot how much I love playing basketball. In college we used to play weekly, in freshmen year daily! I'm not the greatest player, but back in my prime I think I was a decent defensive player (I think it was my long arms). I'm not so much the shooter or point guarder because I get really nervous. In time hopefully I'll get my swag back.
I have another whole weekend off ahead of me... I'm excited. We already have a hike+beach+basketball sesh+maybe yakiniku planned. I can't wait, hopefully the weather will cooroperate.
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We survived our tsunami warning. Anna and I passed out in the living room watching the news, hoping to not have to work. Unfortunately we both did, but fortunately nothing was severely damaged here. My thoughts and prayers go out to Japan (one of my most favorite places in the world). I've already pledged money to the Red Cross (text REDCROSS to 90999, and $10 goes to the Red Cross and will be billed to your phone bill). We were watching the footage at work, the tsunami almost looked like storm scene in Ponyo, devastating.

Me and Anna getting ready for the tsunami

View from Hookipa during last year's tsunami warning.

There's a tsunami warning right now. Though my heart goes out to everyone in Japan, I can't help but to be reminded of last years tsunami warning (lamest tsunami warning ever). I went to Maui for the weekend AND super excited to go freaking whale watching. EVERYTHING got cancelled due to this so called tsunami warning. It did get rescheduled for the next day, but of course with my luck the weather COMPLETELY sucked. Meh.
I miss Hookipa btw. Oh Maui.

Why hello there... it's been awhile hasn't it. It's February already, Valentine's Day or Singles Awareness Day to be exact. How will I spend my most un-favoritest holiday EVER? By doing something I hate working a double. I don't think I've celebrated a vday with a significant other EVER. My last bf claimed he "didn't believe in Vday," should've took that as a sign and dumped his ass sooner.
I've still been NONSTOP busy since I last blogged... the past couple of weeks have consisted of GNOs, dinners, Glee marathons, family dinners, hikes, movies, a hair cut, 2 nail polish changes, not so much shopping (AMAZING right), Punahou Carnival, church, a couple of dates, but mostly JUST work.

I have big decisions to make coming up...
-Should I stay or go?
-To apply for Hawaiian Airlines or to not?
-To quit Billabong for a restaurant job?

It doesn't seem like it's all that much, but those are pretty big decisions. And as always grad school is always at the back of my mind. But right now I got my sight set on trying to fight off a cold.

Any happy vday to all the coupley couples. And to all my single ladies out there, remember as Beyonce says "if he liked it, then he should've put a ring on it."

New projects... painting. We have a Hello Kitty Themed bathroom, I working on some artwork for it. Here is my first piece, entitled "sprinkles and bowties" (i just thought of that now). I'm going to make a collection of 3 paintings for our bathroom, all Hello Kitty themed. Where I'll have the time to finish these projects I just don't know. My weeks I feel have been getting busier by the minute. My weekly schedule looks like this:
Sun - Church/recovering from Saturday night
Mon - Work (usually a double)
Tues - Work, Stump! Trivia at Manifest
Wed - Work (usually a double)
Thursday - Work, workout or family dinner
Friday - Work, go out
Saturday - Run errands, work at night
Yes yes, there are times in between those to get things done, but I feel like my schedule is just too full. Like this week for example, Sunday I busy all day with NFL football, tonight I went to trivia, Thursday I'm helping Tammy with her beer stand at a UH basketball game, Friday night I'm going out with the girls!, and Saturday morning before I work at 4 I'm going hiking. Doesn't that just SOUND tiring. AND I'm trying to get in some family time!?! GEEZ.

What I've been up to in the new year so far... same as always working, working my ass off. I'm going out more, Stump! Trivia nights at Manifest (SO FUN! We got 7th place our first time), and the usuals First Fridays, MaiTais, clubbing with the girls. So grateful for my friends. I'm also finding new projects to do like updating my Tumblr with this 30-day blog project, painting, and reading daily. You know keeping my brain healthy.
Oh I'm also putting myself on a budget. If I'm planning to move then I'm going really have to curb my spending. This will be hard considering Target just got their William Rast line in and there is a sidewalk sale coming up at Ala Moana, I'm totally eyeing out this Tory Birch Wallet, oh and I want new eye glasses. GAAHHHHHH.

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.

Back from my mini San Francisco vacay with Priya! I hate the fact that time just FLIES by when you are on vacation, but when you are at work or not on vacation the days and weeks go on FOREVER. I'll definitely blog more about my trip later... here are just some random thoughts on my mind.

-San Francisco, a city I could definitely move to...

-I thought Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway album was the BEST break-up album, but on my trip I found John Mayer's Continuum. I downloaded this album back when it was first released, I guess I never really listened to his words. John Mayer you're kind of an asshole, but your music is amazing.

-OK I'll admit I like watching the new Hawaii 5-0.

-Urban Outfitters definitely NEEDS TO OPEN A STORE IN HAWAII NOWWWW. Now I say!

-Priya has this game for her iPod Touch, where you beat levels by beating a timer. I'm not sure what it is called, but it is addicting.

-I'm growing out my bangs. I say that all the time, but I'd really like to switch up my hairstyle. I can't wait for long hair.

-OH also still obsessed with Fleetwood Mac "Landslide." I've never been a fan of Fleetwood Mac but, I love this song SO much.

 

TA-DA! I've cleaned out my room. I'm not sure how many of you (yeah all 3 of my blog readers) know how cluttered my room was before, but let me just say it was horrible. After 5+bags of give away stuff, new curtains, a major closet editing, and rearranging my bed back to the way I like it, my room is pretty much finished. I still need to get a new lamp and go through some more clothes (yes there is MORE!). It was a major overhaul. I was going for "less is more" and hopefully I can stick with it. There is something therapeutic about just cleaning out your room, almost like a fresh new start, which is definitely something I need. You wouldn't believe the stuff I got rid of... stacks of Teen Vogue (which I used to read religiously), my basketball shoes, stuffed animals, toys, and so much clothes. Gone are all the billabong posters (except the Andy banner that's behind my surfboard), gone are the shot glasses and empty mini bottles of crown... up went art (I know how grown up of me, actual art I got from the Contemporary Museum) and framed classic rock album covers (right now it's The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour and Aerosmith's Greatest Hits, but I'm still debating between Journey and ACDC Back in Black). Thank you to my parents and Anna for helping me out big time!!

Tonight while I was putting the finishing touches on my room I watched my latest Netflix arrival... He's Just Not That Into You. Anna lent me the book a couple of weeks ago and honestly I wasn't all that taken by it. BUT the movie.... the movie I loved. I could relate on so many levels! Definite great girl's night in movie, because I think everyone of my friends have been through most of the storylines. I think I'm going to go look for the DVD tomorrow.

Perfect ending to a great weekend, the events of which I'll probably blog about later!

Waikiki Aquarium, earlier this year.

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." -Randy Pausch

Keeping myself busy busy busy. Actually more like keeping my mind busy, because really I was already a busy little bee before all this. Here's a list of what I've got planned so far...

-I started re-reading "The Last Lecture," by Randy Pausch, who died of pancreatic cancer 2 years ago. A very inspirational book. If you haven't already watched his lecture, definitely youtube it. Priya suggested I start reading, but I'm really not one of those get engrossed in a storyline kind of readers. Saw this on Wayne's floor and thought I could use a book like this.

-The Workout Plan: running, running my ass off.

-Malia doesn't know it but this year I'm sending out Citron Kidz Christmas Cards. I'm totally making this happen! Think Hello Kitty, 4 lovely ladies, and Christmas.

-Cleaning my room. Time for a room facelift! Looks like shopping trips to Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond are in my future.

-ATV field trip. Ala, Chaz, and I have been talking about this for sometime now. Let's make it happen soon!

-SF for a few days at the end of month! My third favorite city to visit (behind Tokyo and NYC).

Photo taken on Maui, Nov. 2008.

How does a girl that absolutely HATES drama, get caught in so many within the last 2 months... between having to go to court, work, health, and love... seriously drama-gods I'm officially beat. Oh wait wait I have one more court date coming up, thank's a lot life.


Sometimes I just don't get life. I'm a simple girl, who does what needs to be done. I live my life, I don't get into anyone's space, I'm a pretty content with what I have kind of girl. I have great family and friends, don't do anything bad really, my only worries were about trying to save money and trying to stay sane working 2 jobs (which I've done for the last 7 years!). THEN all of a sudden the drama seemed to come after me and screw over my calm little lifestyle. What do I have this big sign over my head that says "This girl needs some drama in her life! Come and get her!"


Within the last 2 months I've gotten 2 massages, and both people told me that I'm too tense. The Phiten hasn't been working, my back and neck is killing me. Within the last 2 weeks, I've lost my appetite and just have been down in the dumps. Can you believe it not even SHOPPING at Nordstrom Rack cured my blues? (Though I did find a Fighting Eel dress and a Mink Pink top, all under $100!).


I know, I know... get a grip and pull yourself together. I'm starting to get focused on rebuilding me, and just remember everything happens for a reason. I'm grateful for everyone's support and those who are always there to listen and keep me busy. Weird but I quote my manager Ali, all the time to myself in my head, "Moving forward." A simple little mantra, that cures my mini-anxiety throughout the day. Oh and also blasting Kelly Clarkson's entire Breakaway album helps a lot too.


On to bigger and better things... I just have to believe.

I could always rely on good ol JT.

As I close a chapter maybe an entire volume in my life, I need to remember everything happens for a reason.

See how much time I have on my hands... I painted my nails leopard print last week. I took this picture on Friday so that is why they look pretty had it. It took me about 2 hours to finish. I got inspired by a Japanese magazine I picked up at Hakubundo. I also found $12 oxfords at Forever 21! I bought oxfords earlier this year from Vans (they looked the kind of shoes Bert wears on Sesame Street), only to return them a few days later because EVERYONE in my house said they look like bowling shoes. I wore my new F21 oxfords to work yesterday, they were too narrow for my big ass feet but they looked cute.

I've also be contemplating going back to school to become an elementary school teacher. Wayne says to really think through this decision because I'd be shaping the young minds of the future. And that's a lot of pressure. I've been feeling listless lately. Everyday is the same, work and then more work. Nothing all that exciting going on. It feels like I'm just waiting for my big trip to come along. I miss being 21, when it felt like you had the world in the palm of your hands and you could do anything you wanted. Growing up is stressful. I've been to 2 massages in the past 2 weeks and both masseuses (sp?) said I was too tense and that a young girl like me should not have this many back and neck aches. Tense from what? I'm not sure... life, I guess.

Oh and I forgot to finish this post on Saturday. So here you go....

It's 11 p.m., Saturday night, and I'm at home BLOGGING. Wow I am a G-Ma. Anna, Ala and I just watched Easy A. Honestly I wasn't all that excited about this movie, I thought it looked ok. Kind of like Saved or Mean Girls. WRONG well it wasn't as good as Mean Girls (as in I won't be quoting lines from it), it was still pretty good. Good enough to see again in theaters and definitely good enough to buy the DVD. It was really funny, Emma Stone was bad ass AND I loved her parents and Mr. Griffith, her English teacher. Also Penn Badgley (AKA Dan Humphrey!) hot, I die. AHHHHH I'm going to rewatch Gossip Girl right now, just to see him!