Happy Aloha Friday

View from Maunalani Heights

 Sunglasses for the sun. Straw hat for an unpredictable rainy day

Play all day...

With no make up. Ew...

Morning coffee

It's Friday! I slowly open my eyes and smile... I would need to have my Starbucks ice coffee and review my day...
Office
Paid day, collect bills
Call John for a bid regard my 100 years old Monkey Pod tree.
Take pictures of the ground was damaged.
Call Jenny re the insurance for Alani
A property to sell in the mainland...
And more to list...
Hey, what do you think if I dress up a bit and put no make up? 

Hmm...
I know you always like I put on make up.
Who care now!!??

A New Group Picture?

You know that I joined "Young Widow" group for awhile since we are all in the same boat. I feel safe and respect and support. No one will judge.

I got a message from Shalah AE  which made me laugh hard and I like it.

The Salvation Army

I took another latest job today by 4:30pm that donated part of sentimental and valuable things from a millionaire left behind...

I finally bagged up his shirts and shoes for donation to the Salvation Army. It was hard just to take them off of the hangers. Some of them were whole new wardrobe have never tried once. There were so many memories as I looked at the major part of him.

They just came. Five big guys took away 10 bags x 100 gallons of those beautiful and high end clothing and brand name collection shoes.

I felt part of my heart gone... empty and numbness...

Reviewing Solar system and Electricity lights system at Alani

Yea, some time my jobs sound a little bit boring... I got 2 little projects to review and must make them come true in couple months ahead...

Solar system need to be up-grade so we could save monthly 10-12% of the electricity's bill? Today, I have to do research and make a lot of phone calls...

Lights system worked well and kinda looked pretty and fancy for the heck of decoration but they really could not go well with Eco life in the long run and really in-efficient. How should we change them? Any opinions?

Makiki major yard clean up day

 

A bit liberal...

The Great Gatsby

Don't you tell me if the girl have been worth having, she would have wait for you?

No, Sir. The girl really worth having won't wait for anybody.

 

F. Scott Fitzgerald

My Heroes

I have been thinking on to write about my personal Heroes for awhile. I'm probable going to write about my Grandpa, my Dad and uncle Ben who is my American Dad. I'm very excited about doing this pretty soon...

Thank you to my fallen Grandpa. You are never forgotten. Yesterday was a day to celebrate and remember the lives that were lost. The ones that died so we can live.

 And also remembering my Dad and uncle Ben. They were always my heroes in life.

I love you all.

My step Kids

I forgot how our life was when the kids were here, around the house, at Iolani school and everywhere in town... 

I was young when I met you and it's been a tough road with them to this day. Life back then were new, frustrated, complicated, costly and extreme busy for you and me. I did learn the hard ways to know them individually, to care, to support, to be patience, to love them and treat them with fairness, like I did with my own children if I've ever had. Are there things that happen that I don't like? Of course!

Sometime I wonder how did we handle all's well when I now look at them are already grown up. I'm glad that did not give up. I'm blessed to have them in my life, to see them have a fabulous education, great jobs and life style.

I was there in quiet doing my daily job being a housewife next to you... Along the way... Time and supported and patience will conquer all...

Baby Bird Gone

I found a baby bird on the grassy area near the steps of the house entry. Poor the little cute bird... It looked so adorable... tiny like one third of my palm.

It took me all my morning. I was watching, thinking, trying to put the bird up on the one of the lower branch.
So I wrote to Frank, my best Zoo-Keeper in Hawaii:
" Frank, I found a baby bird in the yard... Couldn't fly and probably scared, thirsty and hungry... I didn't know how to help since you had your zoo. Do you know how?"

So Frank wrote back to me :
" See... links..."

Second day, Frank wrote:
"Let me know how it goes with the baby bird. I'm currently nursing 8 of them, so I probably need to reread the material I sent to you. Have fun with the family!"

Third day, Frank wrote:
" How is the baby bird? Mine are holding up well and chirping away..."
 I wrote back:
" The baby bird was on my tree for 2 days. This morning It gone... I don't know where it went but all I hope it's okay?!!"

Working triple for over next weekend and a moment to find part of missing in my own...

I hope everyone had a great Memorial day weekend...
I'm feeling like working triple since my step kids are in town until next weekend... Text messages, phone calls, works, house chores, shopping, cruising, dinning are none stop... 

Last night, I finally got a great moment to escape with Scott to watch a movie from Red Box that I was always wanting to watch since their fist show in Kahala movie theater April 24th last year. When Scott asked me which movie I would like to pick, I pointed "The Intouchables" and simple told him It's French movie and that people still are raving about. I did not tell him the whole meaning behind why did I care so much?

First, It's French movie. I always love French movie and part of my French blood that made me perhaps? 

Secondly, It's based on true story... Amazing movie,
great performances from actors, photography of images are great. Rich of emotions on a simple story where ordinary people become extraordinary. Good representation of social differences in France without being too heavy on it. Simple, beautiful, efficient, like a good French cuisine, making a great dish full of tastes magically mixed .

Lastly, It remind me the true-life fairy tale of friendship, love, lifelong bond and married that I have been with you. I was truly happy that I saw it and Scott liked it too.

Scott asked me:" Did the movie make you cry?" 
"Yes, It did." 
Yeah, It's not just a job anymore... if you could understand that end part of the movie.
I shed many tears when Driss said:" I will not stay here but It's gonna be alright." It's a beautiful scene.
J 'adore.

 
 

May's Full Moon Theme at Sierra resident. I love it!

View from my right balcony... The sunset was going down in Waikiki side.

View from my left balcony...The early full moon was getting up so beautiful.

View from my front gate...

From The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
The moving Moon went up the sky.
And nowhere did abide;
Softly she was going up,
And a star or two beside-
 
By Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)

Friday business lunch at Mariposa. Thanks to Maggie

It's beautiful Friday noon.
Hakkei restaurant was fully booked and a long wait for us...

I suggested let go to Mariposa at Neiman Marcus since we like the popover they only have for lunch. Maybe It's cross my mind because I think of you Baby...

For quite some time, where you and I last were here... just for different lunch ideas, just for a treat or many businesses lunch ... Lord, I miss you heaps.

First the view from the Mariposa was always amazing. Happy that we got the gorgeous bird's-eye view of Ala Moana Beach Park from the open-air lanai.
Amazing!! There's nothing like relaxing ambiance, sipping your drinks and staring at the ocean...

We started with English cup of French consommé and a Yorkshire popover with some strawberry cream cheese spread. Yummy!

We also were happy to see each other, reviewing what have been done lately, family, kids, our new trips for June and of course talking about you... Did your ears were burning? You have no ideas how much great thoughts Maggie had for you. She was oriental sweet, caring, very supported and loveable person. I always appreciate, adore and love Maggie so much.

There's something about Neiman Marcus that makes me feel like I'm a rich housewife in a lunch club when I'm at Mariposa. That's pretty true minus the money, marriage and business plus partnership... Being that Mariposa is situated in a high end department store, I was expected to burn some money and treat everybody...

Turned out...
Oh, Maggie... She did pay in the moment I was in the restroom. She must burned he wallet !!! Next time then.

Busy day ahead...

Wow, It's 8am. The sun had raised awhile ago but Diamond Head view still covered by a haze... Today, there will be quite high humidity at 64%, thing stays still but general it is cooler than down the hill.
Living up here always such surprising me all year round... I now understood why he love to live here so much...

Busy day but happy day of course... I can be a dreamer sometime but in days I'm action oriented.

When I live my life out of comfort zone.

Luke called me before 6:30 pm and said :" Sis, I'm bored. Would you like to go with me for dinner and a ride after? "

" What on earth are you talking about? " I thought he was joking. I near about laughed out loud.
" I have no one to hang out with. Please, sis..." He sounds serious. 
" Are you serious? Why me?" I said. " Please save you date for a hot chic in your group. You are wasting your time here."
" Please, go with me and you will glad that I'm going to show you another world tonight." "Please..."

And I finally made it for the first time. It's a fast driving ever to Round Top Tantalus...

Luke was right. I was glad that I went for a breathtaking drive in a cool refreshing air tonight.  We drove through a lush, green, wet of forest, many sharp U turn roads that took a lot passionate and practices from Luke. He is extremely quick mind and sharp driver. Then we were there that open up a beautiful panoramic view of Diamond head, Waikiki, Punch bowl Crater and Honolulu at night. 

It's an amazing speed drive that blow my mind. It reminded me of some similar roads trip I took with Bob in up state NY, Vermont, California... It also reminded me of the fast driving in the movie : " The Great Gatsby ". I thought :" If we lose focus for one second, we will crash and burn and die". Tonight, none of us were nervous or scared even thou we speed in the dark... My feeling was calm and happy... Seem like once I step out my comfort zone, then more I build tolerance for risk taking...



 
" Sis, we gotta take our picture." He confidently said.
"But how? It's too dark..."
"No worries, let me show you..." 

" I got a confession to make." Luke said. "You are the most cool sis I've ever had."
"Oh, why?" I asked
"Because, you don't get mad at me, you don't get even... You only know how to get ahead." He laughed " And you are beautiful!"

I'm okay

The sun has raised... 
I still want to cry!!??
A new busy day ahead... 
I have to be strong.
I'm okay.

There's always some truth behind every "Just kidding". 
There's always some knowledge behind every "I don't know". 
There's always some emotion behind every "I don't care". 
There's always some pain behind every "I'm okay."

Cry...

Thursday evening last week, Frank called from Sydney and he was so happy with his new big contract. I was so happy and proud of him indeed.

Friday noon, Frank sent me a message from Melbourne said he was in the hospital because he had a car accident and they were getting check out for the concussion...and he said he was OK .. I message him back. Before his news came, I was having a really bad headache all day... I didn't know why. Of course, I was very worried but yet I tried to have many positive thoughts that he will be just fine.

Midnight, Frank called twice and message me that he was home and OK but having a massive headache... I missed his calls.. I was sleeping...

Saturday noon, Frank sent me message and called twice...I missed his calls again. 

I haven't heard from Frank since...I tried to message him and called but there were no answer...

Sunday... No matter what I was waiting, hoping, praying, worrying and tears eyes...No news.

This evening is really hard... I am spending it but the whole me just being quiet but thinking about Frank. Finally, I burst into tears... I cried so hard  with my ride of emotions, and I suspect that my "roller coaster of sadness, scare and worries" will be with end soon. I will hear back from Frank that he is doing just fine.

I could not help myself... Perhaps, I cry into the night...