2013 - ChristmasTime - Ugly Christmas Sweater

Christmas is my favorite holiday out of the year...

I love it all, shopping, Christmas wrapping, cooking, hosting, laughing, decorating, decorating Christmas trees (in fact, when in Hawaii, I decorate the church Christmas trees), Starbucks Gingerbread latte, Christmas music, gifting, and spending time with great company.

One of the illusive Christmas traditions I had yet to participate in was the "Ugly Christmas Sweater" - UNTIL NOW...

CLICK HERE - to read a little history of the Ugly Christmas Sweater.

Yesterday, I decided I wanted an Ugly Christmas Sweater party.. so my BFFs and I went to Michael's and went shopping (which all the Christmas decoration was 70% off!), which made Christmas sweaters really affordable.  You can buy your own ugly Christmas sweater - you probably already have one that was given to you as a child or teen, but making your own is super fun!  Just take a sweater - that you no longer plan to use and decorate it with big, elaborate and over the top Christmas decorations!

Here is a collage of our Ugly Christmas Sweater...

PS. Some of you may receive a Christmas card with a photo of this!

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos 

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

2013 - A look back

Wow, another year is coming to a close.  I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but I'm very fortunate.

***Trying this again, my first time writing this was deleted***

Check out my previous End of Year Blogs

CLICK HERE for last year's (2012) A look back...

CLICK HERE for 2011's A look back...

This year has been really amazing.  I am nearly finished with my Master's Degree - starting my thesis this January 2014.  I've also been quite fortunate to travel around this year, both to new places and to familiar places.  This year I've visited Spain (Madrid, Palma Mallorca, Bilbao, Asturias, Valencia), Portugal, United States (Florida, Nevada, California, Hawaii: Oahu, Big Island, Maui), France and Netherlands. Also visited a few new countries this year: Croatia, Hungary and Poland - Not counting this holiday trip in December and January.

I am also simplifying my life.  My following accounts have been deleted: Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Tumblr.  Sticking to Twitter, and Google+.  I've also deleted my Spanish blog and several other accounts and emails.  I will soon be blogging in Spanish as well via this blog.   

This year, my most popular blogs involved technology.  As most people are becoming more connected and with different technologies emerging (Windows RT, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Chromebook, Chromecast, Nokia 41 MP camera!) people are just naturally curious about the new technologies and though there are plenty of technology blogs out there, I actually respond to every single comment I receive!  

2013 - Most viewed blogs

2nd Runner Up - TechTalk - Nokia Lumia 920 - Spinning Gears FIX!

1st Runner Up - Windows Phone 8 - 8.0.10512.142 - 8007000E - Google Contact Sync Problems

MOST VIEWED - TechTalk - How to spot a FAKE Samsung Galaxy Note 3

2013 - Top 3 favorite pictures

It was quite difficult to just pick three pictures considering the amount of adventures I had this year.  I wanted to pick three that were full of joy and emotion and one which was just pretty cool.  Enjoy.

Me - Playa de los cathedrales

Michelle and I - Parasailing

Andrea and I

2013 - My Top 3 most viewed YouTube videos

This year, my most viewed YouTube videos involved male dancers, Surface RT, and Café con leche with Max.  Enjoy!

2nd Runner Up - TravelTalk - Na Kane - Male Revue Show - The Men of Paradise


1st Runner Up - TechTalk - Microsoft Surface RT - App List


MOST VIEWED - Café con leche with Max - Introduction

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos 

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.