Happy Anniversary...

8 years for these two!

Ups and downs (life),

2 beautiful grands,

unselfish gift,

above all love.

Happy Anniversary Geoff and Bri.

Kung Hee Fat Choy...

Happy Year of the Horse from A-9!

A Happy New Year...

last Saturday we had a bit of a New Year celebration with my

hula sisters from the class before ours.

There was so much yummy food!

I loved the tempura and sushi

I brought "snow puffies" from Paalaakai Bakery to share.

it was especially nice that Ms. Alama could be there to celebrate with us.

I must say it was hard to get up and dance after all the food.

Gung Hay Fat Choy....

Laura and Molly took a little trip into Chinatown 

for New Years celebration

fed some dragons and

bought some Gau ( thanks for mine)

nice way to celebrate Year of the Snake!

mahalo Laura for the photos.

Kung Hey Fat Choy~2012

Happy Chinese New Year...

today is a day to eat long noodles

that will  show long life!

Maafu's Graduation

Yesterday was the graduation ceremony for Maafu.  He'd actually finished his classes and had the actual

diploma, but since the ceremony is only held once a year, he had to wait.  I know he wasn't sure he

wanted to actually "walk" (I think since he really didn't know what to expect), but in the end it wasn't so bad.

The ceremony was held at the Blaisdell Concert Hall in town and inclusded graduates from all over Oahu.  It was a really nice ceremony with lots of "Pomp & Circumstance". 

a wild "meet and greet" in the exhabition hall

I'd been thinking about where we should go for dinner afterwards, I just wasn't sure because I wasn't sure about the time.  As it turned out I think I made the right "spur of the moment" choice.  We went

to Dukes Waikiki. 

It turned out to be such a special night for a special guy!

By the time we finally got seated, I think we could have eaten anything, but had such a good dinner.

Even the aunties music helped make the night one to remember...I did something, I

really don't do...danced a hula for Maafu and Kirstin. 

Dukes gave us a Hula Pie to end our celebration.  We couldn't even finish it!

Maafu worked so hard to reach this goal and has already started taking

the first steps towards his 4 year degree.  I wish that everyone took education as

seriously as he does. I was only there to guide him and help where he needed it, but it all came down to him. I know that he'll succeed because he does understand

the importance of education and knows what a difference it makes.

I'm so proud of you Maafu!

Ho'omaikai

Happy Girls Day

Today is Girls Day.  In Japan it's called Hinamatsuri.  Its a day to honor

girls.  Here you can buy Hina dolls like this one at stores like Marukai.  They are beautiful.

You can also buy special candy and pastry treats. 

 This what makes Hawaii so unique.  It's so multi-cultural

that you get to celebrate different cultures without leaving

your own town!