Excitement Galore

So this time next week my mum from New Zealand, my mum's sister, her husband, their six children, two children-in-law and one grandson from Atlanta, my mum's brother's wife, her daughter and son-in-law from Las Vegas are all going to be here for a one week vacation...oh and my graduation...hehehe...sooo that is FIFTEEN relatives in total!

For those who don't know, I have a very very big extended family, especially on my mother's side.  She is the fifth of eleven children in their family and most of those eleven have pretty much fulfilled the commandment of multiplying and replenishing the Earth.  So I am pretty much used to big family gatherings.

This was taken on our last family reunion which was in 2006.  This is only 5 of the 11 siblings and their families, imagine if it was everyone!!!

I am very excited to have them here and show them where I have been living for the past four years.  We are on a strict itinerary because I want to show them as much as I could, which means packing in four years of experience into a week...hehehe...so were going to be going and going everyday...IT WILL BE FUN!!!

This is a picture that I took at the Makapu'u Lighthouse

THEN, two weeks after today Maverick and I will be going back to New Zealand with my mum for the summer break.  Though I wouldnt call it summer break since its winter in NZ during summer in Hawaii.  Its always a nice change to go to somewhere cold after being in the sun for the majority of the year.  

Also, we are going to have our New Zealand Wedding reception on 4 July (i know, six months after the actual wedding but airfares arent exactly cheap).  But its gonna be fun to go through another reception again.  Its like wedding stress all over again.  Still fun though!

Best girl friends in the world!!! Ate Mina, Jam and Marje

Im excited to have all these time with family and friends again.  It always great to come home.  As Dorothy would say "There's no place like home."  

So with that,

8 more days till graduation

14 more days till NZ

More exciting news on next blogs...

Bridal Pictures

So an amazing lady named Marianna Ah Quin, who is a budding photographer like me, was nice enough to do some bridal shots at Malaekehana and Temple Beach.  She did so good and here are some of my favourite ones...

Much mahalo Marianna!  You da BEST!!!

15 more days till graduation

21 more days till NZ

Little Things...

This blog entry is inspired by my ex roommate Alyssa.  I think that it is important to be grateful for all the blessings that we have been given... most especially the little things... so here are my 5 little things:

• goodnight kisses
• 10 mins break in the middle of a 2 hour class
• 2 for 99 cents filipino chips at the 99 cents store
• double sided tape
• printed pictures

so what are the little things that you are grateful for?

17 more days till graduation

23 more days till New Zealand

ZETTA the BETTA

...or ZB for short

so a couple of months ago our good friends Jen and Li Kane (who needs to update their blog) gave us this small sort of decorative bowl/vase with some blue pebbles and from that moment on, I decided that I wanted a Betta fish.  Although it actually took quite a while for us to get ZB because the closest pet store is in Kaneoke which is about a 45-min drive away.  

Regardless, here he is! He doesnt really do much but just swim around his little tank...hehehe...but hes very prettifull anyways.

        

Let the Countdown Begin...

Back when I was young and immature, (which was like 4 years ago, or according to my parents, next year) I used to countdown the days of everything!  and when I say everything, I mean evveerryyything!!! My birthday, start of school, end of school, if were going on special trip or any other special days.  I would even mark it on my wall calendar and my daily planner so I dont forget.  Now I know lots of people still do this, but back then I was just ridiculous because I would start counting down from like 150 more days.  So by the time it gets to like 10 or so more days, people around me usually be very ANNOYED and just want me to get over it already.  Even if they were all very excited for me at first and ask even asked how many more days to go once in a while. 

Thank goodness I have gotten over that obsession (actually I remember counting down for my wedding from like 80 more days).  But, I have decided that it is okay to start a countdown again especially if it is for 2 major events...BYUH June Commencements (with relative coming to visit) and heading back to New Zealand for the summer...

So that comes down to....

24 more days till graduation

30 more days till New Zealand

YYYAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!

Day for Mothers

With the upcoming Mother's Day in our midst, I wanted to dedicate this entry to my loving mother who has literally saved my life in soooo many different ways.  

There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood.

I think that mothers are one of the many things in life that we take for granted.  I know that I have often stopped and realized how much my mother does for our family and others and am continually amazed.  She has taught me a great deal about living a worthy life and how to appreciate all the many blessings that our Heavenly Father has provided for us.  Our relationship has come a long way from my rebellious years which I am thoroughly grateful for and hope that it will continue to grow stronger as I face new challenges in life.

All women become like their mothers.  That is their tragedy.  No man does.  That's his.  ~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

I remember back in the days thinking that I dont want to be like my mother when I become a mother myself.  I take all those thoughts back because I cant think of any other way to be a mother than to become like my mother.  Of coarse, I still dont fully comprehend how it is like to raise a child, but I am in a time now where I have to think about become a parent (which is still kinda scary) and establish an environment that will encourage my future sons and daughters to become worthy children of God.

Elder Russell M. Ballard said that, "There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part-or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."

I love my mother and everything that she does.  I say that she has saved my life because she was the one that directed me to stay close to the church.  She saw the daughter of God within me even during the times that I could not.  She has taught me many valuable lessons that I will for sure pass on to my children.  All in all, my mother is the greatest and I would not want my life with her any other way.  Ive been away from home for nearly four years now and I thoroughly appreciate the time that I get to spend with her and the rest of the family, especially because it is only about a month or two in each year.  I miss my family everytime I am not with them, so I am thankful for modern technologies that help us stay in touch with one another.  

I would like to end this entry by expressing my gratitude to all the mothers and future mothers out there.  A women's divine role in this world is to nurture and raise children to become faithful sons and daughters of God and good influences to society.  I look up to any mothers that are doing just that, and for that reason, no matter how scared I may be, motherhood is something that I am looking forward to.

2001

 2009

New Job

Maverick got a new job! He will now be working at the Kualoa Ranch as a Japanese tour guide. It sound like such a perfect job for him since he will be riding ATV's and horses and pretty much playing the whole day.  Plus, it will give him a chance to keep up with his Japanese. This is very exciting for us because besides his Photo Poly job, he will have this job (which pays a lot more!) to help us financially, plus my 19-hour Auditorium job.  Definitely blessings from Heavenly Father.  Maybe we will finally be able to zero that credit card.  Bring on the money!