9/29

Today was a pretty chill day, woke up around 10am then did some errands in Kailua for awhile. After I walked to Kailua beach park and laid out for a couple of hours. Probably a couple hours too long, because not knowing it when I got back home my skin was on fire!! BUT well worth it, because I saw my first TURTLE!! :D It was just chilling in the water swimming around everyone and slowly popping its head out of the water. Super cute, I think it's name was crush. haha. I really like to just chill at the beach and people watch. There was a young couple making out most of the time, also a group of Hoale older people (prob around 70s) that were originally from here. They were really friendly and started talking to me, I guess they all moved to the mainland and/or Australia and every year come back to Hawaii for a reunion. :)

The couple in the corner were making out most of the
time I was there....way too much PDA for me haha.

I then showered and went to town because I was meeting cousin Kirk and his family. I was pretty excited because I was going to meet his kids (Cierra and Hunter) for the first time. So, around 6 I met them at their place and we went to Big City Diner. I got their fish special, grilled mahi mahi with wasabi mayo, garlic spinach and rice. The kids are really really friendly and cute. Cierra would non-stop talk to me about her school, school work, activities and more. Hunter guzzled down his strawberry iced tea before dinner and wanted a strawberry shake after. Haha. He was really hyper after that. I'm really happy that I finally got to meet them all that I've seen of them are their xmas cards. They were saying, I didn't know you even existed...haha. We then went back to their apartment and had ice-cream with mom's cookies. It was good, i guess they make their own ice cream as they were telling me. After dessert I call up Dev, because Bo's cousin Kevin is in a band called Kahua playing at Imua Lounge. They are good and it was a very chill night out with Lauren, Glen, Dev, Kevin, Amanda, Shima, Paul and more. Below you can listen to their traditional hawaiian jams!

Day 9: 9/28

Today was a rough day, basically I woke up, drove back to Kailua and napped for a couple of hours. Then I got a cheese burger from Teddy's Bigger Burger, took it to the beach and laid out for a couple of hours. It was very nice to just chill for a bit and enjoy the sun and burger.

After I came back home, showered and watched a few episodes of Mad Men, then fell asleep for another hour. YES, I know, today was my lazy day, but much needed after a weekend with Ray J. and Soli in town. I then call up Mark and go to dinner with him at Gyotaku and I get a combo. Soba, tempura and Cali rolls, it was a lot of food but really good none the less. I had enough leftovers for another meal. We then go back to his place so I can raid his TV, since I haven't been watching since I got here. Gina then comes home from church and we all hang out for a bit. I then venture back to Kailua and have a great night rest. :D (sorry this post was boring, since I was basically recovering all day...haha)

Day 8: 9/27

Today, I woke up and went to lunch with Uncle Kirk. He called and asked what I was doing, and of course I didn't have much planned. So, he took me to Times for a plate lunch. I had the huli chicken and steak combo. We then talked some about his kids and our families. After, I went to Don Quijotes and picked up a bunch of things for the townhouse. Essentials for cooking, (mirin, shoyu, rice, sesame oil, regular oil and more) plus I had to get my terro ANT killers. I then drove back to Kailua, unloaded everything and set up my ant traps. I was probably the most excited about that, HA. Since it was the last day Ray and Soli were in town, we were going to have a bbq/potluck at his friend Steffy's house in Moana. I picked up Dev from work, we picked up some Poke then went to Steffy's. She was cooking up a storm and everything was BOMB dignity. haha. She made little bite size croutons with guava jelly, bacon wrapped scallops, baked chicken, steak and shrimp.

(croutons with cheese, sun dried tomato and guava jelly)

It was definitely delicious and nice to have a home cooked meal. It was good times with good people, good food and wine. (sadly, I didn't take a picture of EVERYTHING we had, think i was too excited and hungry to remember) Steffy also has chickens and a rabbit in her backyard, plus they were raising a little chick that was running around inside.

Since, it was Ray and Soli's last night we wanted to go out and chill, so we went to Nocturna Lounge in restaurant row. It had karaoke and gaming systems, so of course it was a lot of fun. We all sang, drank, danced and drank some more. Probably a little too much fun because I ended up staying at Bo's house again. But it was a good time, sadly that just means Ray and Soli had to go home! And unfortunately, or more like fortunately, I have no video from this night, but I'm sure we will have more nights like these in the future. :D

Day 7: 9/26

Today I woke up around 9am local time and ate yogurt for breakfast. I then chilled around the house for a bit and went on a mission to set up my bank account in Hi. So, I drove out to Bank of Hawaii deeper into Kailua. I set up my bank account in HAWAII! wooo, since they only have hawaiian banks out here. After I went to this place called "The Hibachi" where my cousins Kirk said to go to. His friend owns it, so I introduced myself to the owner, his name is Mark. He then let me try like ALL of his poke and I asked to get a poke bowl. It was his ginger shoyu specialtly, that they make per order. We then got to talking some more, he asked me what I was doing out here (job wise) and then asked me if I needed one. I told him I was going to work at this shaved ice shop in Waikiki, he then said he needed a cashier at his shop. HAha... SO, I got offered a job, he said he'll train me on Sunday. I figure doing that is a lot better then nothing :) After, the Hibachi's I take my poke bowl (that was on the house) and go home to change/eat.

My Poke bowl

I then venture out to the beach for a hour and a half. I actually fall asleep at Kailua Beach park. It was nice to just chill and get some sun :)

After I go home and chill for a bit, then decide to go for a run and I want to cook for the first time out here. So, I go for a 30 min run (around 2 miles) then go to safeway to pick up some frozen chicken. I come back and make a chicken/veggie stir fry. Success! I then wash my dishes and shower because by the time I get ready, I have to meet Ray, Soli and Dev at Bo's house because we are going sand crabbing :) By the time everyone meets at Bo's it's around 9:30, then around 10pm we venture out to the ocean to catch some crabs! haha It's pretty fun, me and soli had the net, ray or dev had the light. We basically caught them with a net and/or dev and ray would dig for them. On the walk back, we definitely caught some big suckers.

Day 6: 9/25

Today, woke up at around 8:30am local time to Dev sleeping on the floor and Paul & Bo already up watching Football. They say they wake up early on Sundays because of football. :) We basically just chilled most of the morning, went to whole foods to go get some breakfast and brought it back to the house. Ray and Soli had to go to a brunch with his dad, so in between that Bo and Paul went to go pick up food for a bbq. Neil came over to hang as well and once some people came back, I went to go pick up Lauren and Glen so, they could meet everyone and Q' it up too. When I get back to pick them up, (we pick up some beers and sake from Don Quijote) there are a lot more people starting to cook and chill. Oh yeah, when at Don Quijote they had some Chu Toro Nigiri for only $6, so I had to take a picture of it. So, overall it was a very chill Sunday, swimming, bbqin', football and with good company. Guess I'm going to have to start watching football or have a favorite team! :)

Day 5 9/24

Today I had to wake up early, around 7am to meet Sophie and Linda at a Women's Health seminar at the Ala Moana Hotel. Bo was up too and was nice enough to drive me out to the hotel. The seminar started at 8:30, so I meet up with Sophie and Linda there around that time, we end up sitting in the 3rd row which wasn't too bad because we really saw the faces of the speakers. As much as I was semi-dreading it, the seminar was pretty interesting and entertaining. I learned about Menopause, healthy living, heart disease and boobs. :) The speakers were pretty charismatic so it made things go by pretty fast. They also served us lunch, a chinese chicken salad box with water and a cookie. I definitely gobbled that up because I didn't have time to eat breakfast. The seminar ran a little late and we were supposed to meet Cynthia (Kirk's wife) for lunch at the mall. So, poor thing had to wait for us for about 40mins, but once it was over we ran over to the mall to meet her. We then go to Island's Fine Bugers & Drinks and I get a chicken salad (again) haha. The seminar made me want to eat healthy, LOL. It was a nice bonding session between all the girls (Sophie, Linda, Cynthia and myself). While there Bo, Ray, Soli and Dev then come out to the mall and pick me up. We go shopping and I buy a Lil' Wayne shirt that I later want to cut up. Haha. Since Soli has never been to Hawaii before, we go get some shaved ice at Ailana Shave Ice (the shop I'm supposed to work at, but at a different location in the Waikiki Plaza). Anywho, I meet the owners and they are really nice, plus the shave ice is REALLY good and refreshing. I got Lilikoi and Haupia with ice-cream. This is one of their homemade syrups. Dev gets strawberry milk, Bo gets Guava, Soli gets passion fruit and Ray gets root beer and li hing. Totally refreshing for the hot day. Sadly, I didn't take pictures because I left my phone in the car :( Around 3:30 we get back to Bo's house because Soli and Ray have to get ready for a wedding and we had to get ready for the lil' Wayne concert. When we got here Bo's cousin, uncle and some friends were over watching the UFC fight. They were just grilling and chill in, his spot is totally awesome for having people over. I was getting really sleepy so I semi napped outside and then started getting ready for the concert. First I cut up my lil' weezy shirt so it looked all cool in the back, then showered and got cleaned up. We had to be at the concert around 7:30pm so, Bo, Dev, Paul and I go taxi it out there. A lot of people hella dress up for the concert, like they are clubbing. We go grab some beers and later meet up with Bryce and his people. After we chill for a little bit we go to our seats and watch Lil' Wayne perform. It was definitely A LOT of fun, made me hella like him. He's a really good performer, Keri Hilson was there too, but she wasn't very good. I'm pretty sure I semi-lost my voice because we were screaming so much, but it was worth it. haha. By the end of the night I was definitely buzzing, so we get back to Bo's house and I think I make some calls, then hella pass out early. Sadly, I missed out on more drinking and karaoke' singing haha but heard it was a blast. These last couple of days have definitely been nice since I've been seeing a lot of people that I know. :D

The sound is really bad, but it lets you know I was there!! haha

Day 4 9/23

I wake up and decide that I want to go to the beach today. I then eat some yogurt that I bought yesterday, talk to some people online and then finally leave the house around 11am. I want to take the scooter out, so I look on the map and see that the beach is around 1 mile away, plus I wanted to try a shrimp truck that was close by. So I take my scooter and venture out to the beach! I get some Lanikai Shrimp Shack which was BOMB! Shown is a picture of my day :)

Ray and Soli just got in too, so after they eat with their dad, I go meet them at Kaimana beach close to town. Ray part of a club, so we go to that private beach, which was really nice. It was nice to finally just get in the water and relax.

We then go to the Kahala mall because Ray has to pick up something for his brother and head to Bo's house. Bo just got home and gave us a tour of his house...which is HELLA nice. Since everyone wanted to go out out, we all got ready for dinner and ate at Mr. Ojisans, I had the misoyaki butterfish and stir fry veggie combo. The butterfish was really delicious, so we eat and sing karaoke there until around midnight and head out to Tsunamis. At Tsunami's we see a lot of people, a lot more people then what was there on Wednesday. I tell Lauren and Glen to meet us there, so they do and meet the 100s of other people that I've met. :) After, we go to Zippy's and get a bunch of food (obviously a drunk purchase) and go back to Bo's house. Where we chill some more, get a bottle of wine, drink it and then finally pass out at around 3:30 am. I would say it was good night. :)

Mee-Chan sleeping on Soli's leg.

Day 3: 9/22

Today, I woke up around 7am in Lauren and Glen's living room. I was glad to wake up to familiar faces, but had to move my car, so I drove back to Kailua. Since, I haven't been home yet, I quickly set up my INTERNET! :D I was connected back to life...haha. After talking to a couple people online, I ended up taking a nap until around 11. After, I walked around town and ate at Peppers sandwiches, it was just okay, but walking distance from the house. I had a philly chicken sandwich, after I walked to Safeway and got some groceries. Then I went back to the house because I had to wait for the washer and dryer. They came around 1:30pm and left around 2pm. It was quick and easy. I then started to clean the kitchen and line all the cabinets...which then got me to setting up the entire kitchen. There are ALL new appliances and new kitchen ware, it's a pretty nice set up. Dev then invited me to eat dinner at his house, so I pick him up from work (after I showered) and we go to Alicia's Market to get poke. SOO delicious, we get Tako with onion and Masago Maguro poke. We then go to his house and start raiding the fridge for takwon, eggplant and rice. I meet his parent's, brother, Haylin and her daughter Mady who is adorable! Marci and her bf Brett come over later too. We just chill and watch Mady play the dancing game on the Xbox. Basically, it was a nice home environment that I'm sure I'll be over a lot. :) Dev then takes me to meet some of his High School friends and we hang out for a little while, I think I was still on the mainland time, cuz' I was tired. So, I then drive home and fall asleep.

Tako poke, Masago poke, Cucumbers, Eggplant

and tofu (it was sour so had to throw it out)

DAY 2:

Sept. 21, 2011

Today I woke up around 9am and was asked by my Uncle Kirk to pick up the scooter charger. So, I get up and get ready for the day. I get to his place around 10:30am, it's the first time I'm driving into town and driving out in Hi. Sadly, the GPS that I brought out here doesn't have any HI addys, so I've been using my phone. When I get to my Uncle Kirk's office he gives me a new backpack for laptop and something to give to his sister. We then talk for about an hour + about what he does and how he'd like me to do some (design) things for him. I'm all for it, I just want to get settled in and get internet! haha. After we talk til' about 12, Mark is texting me to go to lunch with him and some of his co-workers. We go to Jimbo Restaurant on King St. It's like a udon shop with HELLA choices and combinations, def want to take people here when they visit. http://www.yelp.com/biz/jimbo-restaurant-honolulu Since I had difficulty trying to find the place and was late, Mark ordered me a Curry and Udon combo, which was delicious! I heard their mochi is really good, so next time I"m going to have to try that. I met 3 of Mark's co-workers there too, who were very nice. After, Mark went back to work and drove to the Ala Moana mall in search of a "Clear" internet kiosk or some way of getting internet. (One day, without internet and I felt very, very deprived). So, I walked around the mall for awhile, calling people back home, already telling them how much I missed them and wished someone came out with me. I stayed at the mall til about 2, then drove around the Waikiki strip, basically I was trying to waste time since I had to pick up my other cousin from the airport at around 3pm. Linda then called me and with perfect timing, I just drove up as she was coming out of baggage claim. I then drove her to her Mom's house, (my popo's sister) and I sat/talked with them for awhile. My great Auntie gave me bug medicine, cuz I have huge like 'welts' from the bites in Fremont. After I dropped her off and chatted for a bit, I went to costco and still in search of someway to get internet. Costco was pretty neat and pretty crowded. My favorite part of it was that they have a poke section! Unfortunately, I couldn't get any food because I was going to meet Mark, Dev and Lauren and Glen for dinner. (Lauren and Glen, my friends from the Mainland!) I just bought a few things at costco, mostly cleaning things, swifter, clorox wipes and sunblock. After, I went to go pick up Lauren and Glen from their apt, it was SOO nice to see familiar faces from back home. I was really excited. Went up to their place, which is really nice just all the way up on the 12th floor! After, we walked to Gomaichi Ramen where Mark and Dev were waiting for us...but on the way over we pass a "Clear" store. I was SUPER excited, because that's where I could get internet, so I bought it. All I had to do was plug it into an outlet and TA-DA you have internet. It was def a exciting moment for me. Soo, we were a little late to dinner, but it's okay the place wasn't crowded. At dinner I had Char Sui Tan Tan men and Dev ordered gyoza. This was my first night that I had a beer too, which was delicious. haha. Dev ordered Tan Tan men, Mark had Sung Hon men (sweet and sour soup flavor) and Lauren & Glen had Char Sui shoyu men. All were really good, always down for some bomb ramen. After dinner we were deciding on what we should do, so Dev took us to their place called Tsunamis , which supposedly I'm going to have to become familiar with because they always go there. We played darts for awhile and started to DRANK. Surprisingly, Dan, Kash, Tam and one of their friends walks in randomly, which was even more of a surprise. haha. We then drink a little bit more, but I was getting tired, still not used to the time difference! So, after about 5+ drinks later, tipsy and all, dev drops us off and I end up sleeping on Lauren and Glens' floor. :) I def slept a lot better that night, except Lauren left me a Lakers shirt to wear! haha

I FINALLY ARRIVED!!

ALOHA my family and friends....sorry it took me a good while to get this thing up and running, but here's a tentative lay-out!

Anywho, I arrived on 9/20 at around 11:30am local time and got picked up by Mark (Darren's brother). This is the Ham and Cheese sandwich I got on the plane, they also showed X-Men First Class. Once I landed, Mark was very very nice enough to drive me around town during his lunch break. We first stopped off at popo's nephews, Kirk (so my 2nd cousins') because I have to pick up the keys to the car. I talked to him and he's SUPER cool, very chill and super local. He then goes and keeps talking to me about him having a electric scooter, so we go and pick it up from his place and he lets me borrow it! Super nice! After that, Mark drives me out to my place which is really nice all the way out in Kailua. (Kailua is considered "far" to the people in town, but in reality it's only like a 30 min drive). I am located in pretty central town, walking distance to markets, fast food and macy's, BOOTS and Kimos!! We then ate at FATBOYS and I had garlic chicken with rice, Mark got beef stew bento. That was a good first meal for sure.

After, Mark dropped off my things and we looked around (it's pretty much moving into an empty apartment), he then had to go back to work, so I basically took a shower right when I got here, and then started to put the vacuum together. Just trying to settle on in, so I was basically working til it got kind of dark when I put the lights on and look on my bed. The bed is covered in lil' sugar ANTS O.o I was like "great"....So I call Mark, cuz we were going to go eat dinner later and asked if I could go over there earlier and wash my sheets. He then picks me up around 5:30 and i head out to his place in Hawaii kai. I start my load and then meet his GF Gina! She's super nice and super chill. As we wait to put my clothes in the dryer and wait for Devin to call us, we quickly Skyped Court. We then go to Kona Brewing Company restaurant and meet Dev there. It was a nice place, right by the water. The food was just okay though, it's probably more for the atmosphere. Anyways, I get fish tacos but start to get really really sleepy while at the table. I try to stay up though, so I can get adjusted to the small time change. After dinner we go get Mochi ice-cream...I forgot what the place was called but we had li-hing mango....BOMB. After, which was around 10-11pm, Dev drives me back home. He helps me put on my new clean sheets and then asks if I want to stay at his place, cuz' I was there by myself. It was kind of sad, no internet and an empty townhouse...haha, but I said "No" I gotta get used to this. It was hard to fall asleep though, def wished I had someone staying with me!

v

Here's a semi tour of the townhouse, as you can see it's pretty empty but totally works fine. :) Plus, I know that I have a lot of places to crash at in town.