History Weekend

During the last weekend of 2006 at a relative's house, we were presented with these objects from the past and had to guess what they are. Most of us were dumbfounded. Even the older people. See if you can guess what they are...












































Then on New Year's Day we took my obaasan to a location from her past so that she could see what it looked like today and to see if she recalled anything. She told us that these leaves were used when steaming some food. The following are some commemorative objects that we encountered while touring the area.


Not quite as vast a memorial as the Arizona Memorial but this one is also a reminder of the devastating happenings back in 1941.






She mentioned the Clipper even before seeing this one. Wow, great memory.

Happy New Year!

As we make our way into another year, one thing we'll leave behind is a round of golf played before Christmas at Turtle Bay Resort. We played at the Arnold Palmer Course just as Wayne's World did back in April but most of us were not really as impressed with the course especially for the amount that kama`aina pay. Could it be a downward spiral of condition in just 8 months?


In any case there was a downward spiral in MSO's game partly due to both of his shoes breaking during play. At the end of the round both feet were in slippers and his head was lowered in defeat.





Both my sis and I reveled in victory while the sun set amongst the trees. Although I had a high score as usual, it was an overall somewhat great day of driving, and beating MSO can't hurt right? Sorry...





The path to a new year has arrived and I hope to have fun with family and friends, not dwell too much on the little things (including things that MSO does to rile me up), lose a bunch of weight that has become too comfortable residing on me, and other things to just try and enjoy life. Everyone take care and have a happy 2007!

An iPod Kind Of Holiday

CC Bowls!

Bet you never thought you'd see this name hanging under the crappy, grungy lights of LB? She apparently bowled a 711 series - a great feat. Now if you're still reading this and thinking that this is "The" Cindy, mole on her face Cindy, then I'll put your mind at ease by saying that it isn't. Someone actually has the same name in The Aloha State. But I want to also add that this woman does not look at all like "The" Cindy. 'Nuff said.

What's Going On At...

The Town Center of Mililani? More parking?































Alright, based on further investigation, read that The Bus is building a transit center along Mehe'ula Parkway and they are loaning a small portion of their parking lot while the construction is underway. Will post anyway for non-Mililanians or even Mililanians.

The Ascent Of An iPod

To: AAG
Merry Christmas!
From: AAG












Got it while the after Thanksgiving sale was going on (with free laser engraving) and it has been fun. Would've posted sooner but I been spending so much time transferring music from my CDs and even buy, buy, buying new music! Like I said before, it can be dangerous by just clicking away. I'm even more tempted to take MSO's loose change to get iTunes credit. Beware of your change y'all! ([sic] Britney-esque) Even watched this show and not unexpected but can I just say 'raunchy'? I did find myself wanting to see what happens in the next show though. =S So guys, what happened in the next show?

Bottom Feeder

NOUN: 1. A fish or other animal that feeds on the bottom of a body of water. 2. One that feeds low on the food chain; a scavenger. 3. Slang a. An opportunist who profits from the misfortunes of others: “The frazzled, adrenaline-pumped tabloid newshounds [in the movie] are the bottom feeders of contemporary journalism” (Entertainment Weekly, May 18, 1994). b. A low or despicable person.

That's me. I remembered to make my picks this past week late Thursday morning after deciding earlier in the week that I still had time to do them. However, with no capability to access sports-related sites, I scrambled to make it home during lunch to do them, not knowing whether or not it was still too late (is it?). Just my luck to find that our Internet connection is down. S4!7!!! No time to troubleshoot and no time to go somewhere else. Oh the stupid dedication to just not be last place. What a damn sinking feeling. I'll be bringing my money to buy the appetizers along with Wayne's World for you blokes in spite of my tremendous disappointment.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I was looking through a magazine and saw an ad for Nestle Toll House Swirled Morsels and thought that would be something I'd like to try, either by making cookies with or by a taste test. Okay maybe not the taste test as the fat AAG doesn't need it. So I decided to share this discovery with MSO and in turn discovered that he did not know what morsels are! He is the ultimate representative of a non-baker but I thought at least he'd know what morsels are and he loves chocolate chip cookies (i.e., Chips Ahoy). What happened to Home Economics at RHS?! Oh so sad...

Great Tips

Now the title for the section with this link says 'Pro' but that could be perceived many ways. I am definitely not a 'Pro' when it comes to Apple products (or anything for that matter), and I don't think I'll ever be a 'Pro' when it comes to Apple products, but I almost feel like a 'Pro' stumbling upon this Mac OS X Tips Archive. I found the tips that I've read thus far to be very entertaining and at the same time very useful. In fact, other articles and commentary that I've read on their site has made me smile or give a quiet giggle. So you don't always need yearbook pictures for laughter 'cause you can go to Apple to get some. Or rather you can just go to the iTunes store and buy your laughter. MSO has got an arare container and milk carton full of coins. Where are those Coinstar machines?

Spoken By A Man

Now this guy says men have a bigger problem with cheating and provides insight as to why men do what they do. So ladies (or guys), here are the excuses explanations:

* To Fulfill His Biology: You know the old anthropological tale. A man's main job, besides killing the saber-tooth, is to spread his seed in order to ensure the survival of his genetic legacy. It's a man's biology to want to wander. Does that mean he should, or that he can't help it? Of course not. But it does mean that a man is going to have strong-extremely strong-biological urges to knock on the doors of neighboring huts. I have had this argument/discussion/conversation with dozens of men and women: Are men predestined to cheat? My answer is no, they're not-despite their biology. But often times, they do have to fight it. Especially after a pitcher and two shots of Jack.

* To Get the Attention: News flash: Sure, some guys cheat because, well, maybe the sexual frequency has slowed a bit, and maybe hot-and-heavy happens at home about as often as Rob Schneider gets nominated for an Oscar. But the truth is that plenty of men who are having regular sex with their partner are also having sex with someone else. Why? Because cheating isn't just about the sex. Just as a woman who cheats may be seeking more affection than what she's getting at home, a man often cheats because he's seeking the attention that he no longer gets at home. Part of the allure of the mysterious woman isn't just to find out what she looks like naked; it's that the woman showers the man with flirtations, with seduction, with advances that make him feel like he's worthy of more than just fixing dents in the drywall.

* To Get Out: I know lots of guys who simply don't have the strength to end it. They may try ("I'm just not happy"), or they may take other tactics to drive a woman away. A lot of guys simply have trouble breaking off relationships because they don't want to be perceived as that bad guy, the jerk, the insensitive lout who ended something good. So they tiptoe around the issue in hopes that she'll get so frustrated that she'll back out first. Well, if that doesn't work, then a man knows that the only way out is to commit the relationship sin that drives a woman away for good. It's not right, but it's what happens.

* To Change Up His Play List: Think about what's on your iPod. You have your favorite songs you play over and over, but every once in a while, you're in the mood to hear something you haven't played in a long time. You don't need to hear it but once every month or so, but still, you appreciate the changeup. Relationships need to be like good iPods lists. You're comfortable with your routine and you like your routine, but it's always nice to change things up. What men really want in relationships (and what I suspect women also want) is to be able to take comfort in the routine of a long-term commitment, as long as there are some surprises that make it feel like a new relationship every once in a while. In order to keep the relationship strong, you've got to change the songs every once in a while. That goes for in the bedroom and out.

Wow, even an article about cheating can incorporate an iPod. Nice.

What Trends Are You Ready To See Gone?

I was reading a blog post about trends from 2006 that people would like to leave behind as we head into the New Year, and thought...Well, I'm still thinking about what I'd like to see gone. I'm not exactly a trendsetter, but one trend I do want to see gone is the trend of being at the bottom of the Pick'em contest. Another would probably be too much exposed muffin top, and too much exposed celebrities and their private parts. We see trends come, go, and come back again, but what trends are you bored with and don't want to see in 2007?

Invisible Student

, unpopular, and fat girl. That was (and still is kind of) me. I hated the elementary through high school years because of stupid things like this. I probably hated preschool too but my unconscious repressed memory won't allow me to remember. Unlike MSO who has fond childhood memories of not so smart hilarious shenanigans at school and then some, I have, for the most part, disgust for school day memories. And like the article says, "Girls can be brutal"! But the shameless, malicious, and barbaric boys were just as bad. I remember getting teased even in intermediate school by this one guy loser who I did see later in high school and had ballooned in weight. So now the goal is to instill as much good morals and values in our child who I hope has a very limited exposure to the type of negativity that can arise in the school environment. Here we go...

Crisp Attire

The line below was seen on a holiday party invitation. Never seen it before. Can anyone shed some light?

Dress: Aloha Crisp

Chronic Candy

Candy is already something that's not good for you but now there's Chronic Candy! Guess such kind has been around awhile but I've heard it contains essential hemp oil and is illegal for military personnel to ingest as products made with hemp seed and hemp seed oil may contain an active ingredient of marijuana that is detectable under drug testing programs. Now don't give in to peer pressure when your friend gives you a lollipop. Sheesh.

Much Anticipated Music

Latest Gadgets For Baby (Or Parents?)

Bob Revolution - Sweet comfy ride for baby...Sometimes we wish we were sitting there

Boon's Flo - Mom loves this as it protects baby from the hard shower spout

Fisher-Price Workin' Town Railway with a bonus of a water tower, steam engine, and train car - Dad enjoying it more than baby, and dog playing Godzilla

Some Initial Discoveries

Actually spent more than half an hour on the iMac yesterday and discovered that iPhoto is not very flexible when it comes to creating your own custom photo card (or at least it appears so based on my inexperience using the software). They do give you some nice templates and you can even order some with the click of a button (or several), but I could not create dimensions of any sort and I could not find a way to use more than one photo, etc. So I made my way to CompUSA 'cause I had this pretty old gift card that may or may not expire and decided to buy what I sort of know already. But before I did (and it must have been kind of funny), I was circling the PC software area looking for the dang thing. A person had asked me if I needed help before I had started circling but I made like a man and said I didn't need his help. (Haha) Little did I realize that the Mac software was in the area where the music, playing from multiple iPod nano, was blasting. Decided to forgo the Parallels software for now as I don't want MSO hogging the computer using his Windows apps would like to experience the iMac without Windows apps.

I also came to a realization that I probably won't be able to use the fonts on the font CDs that I had for my PC. So I picked up a couple of Mac font CDs. I can be a font freak and love this one particular font that you may have noticed I use on things. I know you can download them but they were staring at me, pleading for me to buy them, and I figure I'll make good use of them like the other CDs I've had and used for years now.

And just a side note: CompUSA has got to get a better way of checking a gift card balance. I called a 1-800 number and pressed some numbers before speaking to a live person. That wouldn't be so bad if a person was available 24/7 but no(!) you have to call at certain times. WTF?! For a computer store to not have an automated way to check a card balance is very surprising to me.

Plug For Shortgirl Cookies

Doing anything on Saturday, November 4? If not (or even if you are), how about making some time to head out to Aliiolani Elementary School's Season's Best Craft & Gift Fair. Our friend has started a new business baking hand-crafted, designer cookies. (She's working on her Web site though.) She'll be selling her edible creations at the Fair from 0900 to 1430. Admission is free and she'll be just one of 200 vendors selling various crafts and gift items.



Aliiolani Elementary School is located on the corner of 6th & Waialae Avenue across from Kaimuki Toyota. Parking is available on the school grounds and on the streets around the area.

Some samples of what this talented designer can do follows. Doesn't the Short Dogs look familiar?

Good Oral Care For Dogs

Important information regarding doggie dental disease. MSO and I better start brushing her teeth more 'cause that hound-halitosis can be stinky too. =(

Thank You For The Support!

Sorry so late in posting this but we want to thank all those that contributed to helping our team surpass our fundraising goal for the walk last month. Some pictures of that very humid and sweaty, but fun day.


Arrival at the Park. Surprised to see so many pets!







We were happy to see blue skies.

Is this considered animal cruelty?!

First break.

These riders don't need a break.

Neither does this rider.

Mass water break area.

Many took the opportunity to cool off right away.

Do you think she might be tired?

The Team taking a break.

The star dog and his friend taking pictures on the nice patch of grass.

Birds, rabbits, and even a cat on a leash (I didn't see it!) was out and about. Ew, look at the poop on that guy's shirt.

Dogs were getting rides and shade as well.

We reached the finish line!

The cutest finishers of the day.

Thanks again!!! And also thanks to E for collaborating to get us involved! =)

Trick Or Treat!

We had plans to go to the Bishop Museum's Treat Street but due to inclement weather we had to abandon those plans and decided to head out to Kahala Mall.

So together with the K Family we did. It was surprisingly pretty crowded. Surprising for me as I don't think I've ever gone to a mall for Trick or Treat-ing.


People were all around and even where they weren't supposed to be (see sign). I like that Nemo costume in the front.

Oooh, the big white apple hidden behind the tree. Store is scheduled to open by the end of the year.

We saw a clever ensemble utilizing a shopping cart and what looked like a patio umbrella that almost took out some people walking.

But I think the best and cutest pair was the two kids we see here. =) It was a fun night!

Wanted: Photo Editing Software...

or the like for a Mac. I primarily used Photoshop Elements before getting the new baby. I would like to get something that has similar capabilities to do more or less basic editing and creating photo cards like the ones I've done in the past. I've done no research thus far and don't expect the software that came with it to do such things, but would like suggestions if anyone has got any. I personally don't mind spending a little to have the capability to do such "creative" things but MSO would disagree. Well, if he doesn't want to spend time helping out with making possibly more cards than the most recent 'Thank You' cards, then I'm sure he'll hold back his argument against me purchasing something to make photo cards.

Shaky Sunday

Wow, what a day it was! We were at my Mom's house. I woke up at about 0630-0645 because of baby and had just finished changing baby when we felt the shaking. MSO was lying down and said he felt some small vibrations first and thought it was the dog scratching but then felt the bigger tremors. Then the power went out. I was going to work on a little project that required electricity but I would have to wait till about 1430-1500 to work on it. That's about the time when her neighborhood got electrified and I continued on. However, it wasn't an easy day without the power.

First, we had to figure out what we were going to eat after making sure baby was fed. Everyone ate either a peanut butter sandwich, bread, dry Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch (Thanks, B), or whatever snacks around. We did whatever we could and soon it was lunch. I, with my great gourmet skills, prepared a wonderful lunch meal consisting of canned tuna and vienna sausages with rice (that was already cooked) for all. Oh, and don't forget the furikake on the rice. Mmm mmm.

A little after that rather late lunch, power was up and we celebrated by going to Don Quijote to get some milk. We observed some long lines at Pizza Hut and Bale on the way in. It wasn't too crowded at Don Quijote but the lines were long. It took us almost forty-five minutes overall to get a few things. We got back to Mom's and we smelled a neighbor's meal being cooked outside. We later ate our nice, hot meal that Mom prepared, and then found out that our neighborhood still did not have power.

We stayed as long as we could at Mom's and then made our way home. A sight to see. Darkness, darkness, darkness. Don't know exactly what time the power went back on but I awoke to blinking clocks all around. We heard maybe about 2200-2230.

It was a crazy, lazy day and we hope it doesn't happen again too soon.

Who's Going To The BS Bash?

Just wondering...

No Impact On Intelligence

This topic appears to be a back and forth thing when you read literature but now it's breastfeeding has no impact on intelligence. The higher scores on IQ tests of breastfed children were attributed mostly to mothers who "tended to be more intelligent, better educated and provided a more stimulating environment at home." Is our home environment without TV watching stimulating enough for baby? There are some days when both MSO and I feel like we're boring parents and baby is not getting enough stimulation. Thank goodness for books, toys, music, and the dog!

My Cubicle - Ode To Office Workers

Cool song that I was sent via spam e-mail.

Share Your Appliances?

Haven't checked out the link yet regarding appliance sharing but curious.