Vacation 2009 #4 & #5

Continuing our Oahu 2009

Day 4 Driving All Over East Oahu

Oh man I was sore, sore, and sore from Day 3!! So we kinda took easy. We did our drive around the east side of the island starting with an AWESOME breakfast at Boots and Kimo's in Kailua.



This is the breakfast place to be! In fact... I think we're going to eat there everyday next time we stay in Oahu.



Then we drove by Lanikai Beach, Waimanalo, & Hawaii Kai. In the neighborhood of Lanikai we saw a "Lost Turtle" sign. I thought that was the cutest thing but Mr. Mad wasn't slowing down for me to take a photo of it.

We stopped in Hawaii Kai's Starbucks to hang out until Ross and Costco was scheduled to open so we can buy souvenirs there.



Oahu trip tip... never buy much gifts near Waikiki Beach. Soooo expensive. Stick to my recommendations and ask locals as well. After our drive we went back to the hotel and rest.

After a long nap and relaxation we walked down Lewers St. for dinner and to see what was new to us Waikiki Beachwalk for Cheeseburger in Paradise. Food was ok... but service was slow for no one being there. I mean a group came in after us and got served their drink. We didn't even receive a menu after being seated. Mr. Mad was so angry he started to time them. After 30 mins you'd think we would've left. But then the waitress came and she was apologetic so we stayed..Then to the hotel to sleep.

Day 5 More Souvenir Shopping and Beach Day



We started off with a light breakfast downstairs of our hotel. We received our car rental and headed straight to Aloha Stadium for the Swap Meet. My husband would prefer not to go there lol. But this is the cheapest I've found to buy gifts for my family. The first year we went to Oahu together I spent $300 and circled the stadium 3 times in 5 hours. He was toasted, and I mean burnt to the crisp. This year our visit was quick because it was my 4th time and I think I've finally mastered the Swap Meet. My tip: every quarter of the way is the same kind of items, the price difference between the vendors are not much of a difference, and make a list before going. Mr. Mad was Mr. Happy by the time we left because we've spent under 1 hour there. He he he.

Afterwards we went to Walmart to get a few things for our beach day and eat lunch at L&L barbecue. There are several of chains in California but we hardly eat it. For some reason Hawaiian local chains are sooo much better in Hawaii. We've been to several in Oahu and Big Island and hands down... we cannot complain.

We went back to the hotel and rested before our walk to Waikiki beach. It was too windy for both of us to be in the water at one time. We didn't bring any valuables in order to swim with each other but our towels and mats were going all crazy with the wind. It's ok... I was loving the ocean as I am a water baby. Mr. Mad was ok that I took longer than him because he doesn't enjoy the waters as much. We had a boring lunch and a so-so dinner at Ala Moana Mall and slept early so we can pack early for our last day. *sad face*

One more day to report and we're done. Yay for almost completing a feature.
To see more photos on Day 4 and 5 click here.

Motivational Monday:Never give up

Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.


- Bill Gates

As discouraging as it can be when you have unhappy customers don't let them down. Learn from that experience and grow. Happy Monday folks!

Vacation 2009 #3

Thanks to Shell and Gekd. Two great bloggers I've met. They are both aspiring women.Both of their sites are very informative, creative, and you can tell they both have heart of gold. Thank you so much for your kind words. The support from others has been overwhelming. It feels like it reconfirms my decision to chase after my dream. Things are turning up. It's a lot of work but I'll get there.

So... in light of the holiday weekend I'm going to finally wrap up my Hawaii trip. None of these photos are processed. But husband and I were testing our photo taking ability these days so I believe they look decent enough to share. If you want to read about Day 1 click here or Day 2 click here.

Day #3 WALKING all over Waikiki

Or what it felt like. We walked from our hotel to Shorebird at the Outrigger for their 2 for 1 buffet. Then we walked to the plank that was outside the restaurant for photo opportunity. Afterwards we walked to the International Market Place and had Dole Whip. It's basically a pineapple yogurt treat that's made with Dole pineapples. Then walk up and down Waikiki beach before retreating back to our hotel to rest.

We drove to Ala Moana mall for lunch and shopping. This trip didn’t feel complete if I didn't stop here. I never really buy anything but I love this mall to walk. It's an outdoor mall with shades. Then we checked out Fabric Mart. Hawaiian fabric for CHEAP! Cute ones too! We hit up Wal-mart for our 4th time then returned to our hotel to rest.

For dinner we hit up Puka Dog by walking there. Oh boy... the mango relish and guava mustard is to die for. If you ever go Oahu or Maui.. it's treat. Expensive for hot dogs but ONO-licious.




For more photos of our walking journey click here

Motivational Monday: Going for the gold

In the long run men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high.

- Henry David Thoreau

If you follow my tweets you would know I got in the Academy of Art’s free workshop program. My July is booked with workshops and school. I have a few events to attend but anymore I have to say no to them. Although I'd love to see my family and friends and have a good time I have to focus on me. I have moved an hour away from the friends and family. It wasn't intentional. This is where my husband and I agreed to live due to his job. I started working here myself and been here for 1.5 year. It was difficult because I was used to stepping out on to my porch and immediately knowing my environment. I knew the temperature well, grew up with my neighbors, and my friends were a 2 to 20 minutes drive. My sister was in the next room and the other sister a 5 min walk. I saw my nieces every other day and my parents everyday. It was a lot of adjustments for me: new job, new city, and new husband. But I got used to it.

This year I’ve decided since my family and friends are an hour away to take advantage of the quiet time and get something accomplished for myself for a change. I’m always helping people. I haven’t done much for myself in a long time. I always joke I’m the soccer mom with no kids. One day I heard myself say it for the 100th time and thought… wow that’s a little sad. Most people without kids took advantage of the time to either throw themselves in work, workouts, or school. And for 1 year I have done none of that. So as of last week I’m in school and I got accepted into the Academy of Art’s free workshop program. I’ll be attacking the gym as well. Socializing will be on the backburner until I can get my act into a routine.

Personal Spiel: Remembrance

Source of image here

Yes we all know the King of Pop has gone. I just wanted to share a few of my memories of his music. My fave station was playing all request of MJ's yesterday afternoon. Made me tear as I recall the memories.

"Rock with You" - I heard this song over and over again as I work on one of my bff's slide show for her boyfriend. I thought what a great song to include for their couple's montage. Fun, light, and it's so them.

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - I used to play my 45's as I clean my bedroom for our family party screaming this song. It’s my official song of Christmas.

"You Are Not Alone" - I had a male bff back in high school. This song was dedicated to him. Sooo cheesy but at the time I was sooo in love with him. HA HA HA!

"Living Off the Wall" - I had a phase in life where I hit up a club every week and party until dawn. When a house dj played this song in his mix it was my official going out song.

"Man In the Mirror" - This is the song when I first heard it I was amaze. This is the best song of Michael.

"Billie Jean" - My fave to sing when I was child. I don't know why.

"Thriller" - The video special on MTV... I remember being in a small room with my cousins at my Great Aunt's and Great Uncle's house (both deseased as well) waiting to eat bbq. I didn't know it was a movie special or something and thought this was the longest video in my life. It was all entertaining of course. He he he.

I can go on. His music chronologies with my life. Thank you Michael Jackson. Your talent and gift had made us fall in love, get through heartaches, enjoy life, and appreciate it. May you RIP now.

Have a great weekend everyone. Just because we lost very influential people this month we haven't lost the inspiration they have given the world.


Source of David Carradine's image here, of Ed McMahon's image here, and Farrah Fawcett's image here

Latest Work: Gift of Time For You

Here's a sample of my latest work. I’ve been helping with business logos. One of my recent client is Elena from Gift of Time. It’s her company where she’ll do various personal assistant tasks to save her clients time. Here is a brief description she gave me to start her design brief:

I will be helping people with things they don't have time to do themselves on an everyday basis: running errands, picking up and dropping off items. While people are away I would walk their dogs, water their plants, house sit, and even wait for PG&E, Fed Ex, etc. I will be helping elderly with items they can't do on their own. Take them to pick up prescriptions, groceries, to and from appointments, helping do things around their house. Pick up and drop off of kids to and from day care, school, after school activities. Pick up and drop off of pets to and from the vet or bathing sessions.

The image above was the first draft I had made. She didn’t set any requirements and/or color. I had total freedom of the design. Here is the finished product she had chosen.





If you're interested in her services let me know. I do know her personally and will send you her way. I strongly recommend her. She very dedicated and will provide great customer service.

Motivational Monday: In spirit of Father's Day (single mother included) and going back to school.

Quote of the week:

The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.

- Aesop

This quote is really for everyone but it's inspired by great dads and single moms (who are both the fathers and mothers to their children). It's also inspired by me because I'm going back to school. Starting today at the community college up my street I am starting off with two classes. And hopefully in a few days I find out if I also made the application for Academy of Art's free summer workshop. Did you hear about it? It's pretty awesome. I maybe hurting my chances by telling a few people about it but apply today.

For more info:

http://www.academyart.edu/workshops