What an awesome day! I spent the day relaxing, and meeting up with old friends.
In the morning, I basically spent it doing logistic stuff. Paying bills, canceling flights, upping my life insurance, etc.
Then I went for a long, long long walk around the marina and headed to meet my bosses at my old job. Wow, things have changed and things haven't changed. We had a great time over lunch, talking story, talking about the past, present and future. I have to find some links, but I'll share soon their new endeavors - which you guys will find interesting (maybe a video!)!
My original plan after that was to had to Kapiolani park - of course, I fell asleep on the bus and ended up by Ward, but that's ok, Ala Moana works too because I met up with Eric and Aubrey for dinner and peightyn... and friends. haha no can remember da names right now.
From there, it started raining so I watched a movie - Despicable Me 2 - I was not impressed. Entertained, yes. Would I watch it again? No. I like "The Heat" better.
From there Michelle and I spent the day, talking, chatting, talking, walking. etc.
PRODUCTIVE SATURDAY I decided to go to training today and I didn't expect to do this well. I hadn't ran in 2 weeks because of my infected tattoo. A 1/2 marathon in km is 21.097494km or 13.1 miles. Well, I was able to run a 1/2 marathon + an extra 2 km in less than 2 hours! WOW! I really didn't expect this. I felt fine after, just a little tired, but not tired enough to do some upper body workout. I knew I couldn't surf immediately, but I decided to get on my board and paddle back and forth Ala Moana. 3 complete laps to be exact. Then next thing you know Guillaume calls me and wants to go surfing, so after grabbing some Pho, Walmart, Best Buy and Costco gas station, we went surfing. I lasted a good hour and I literally felt like jello. I swear you'd think I was Michael Phelps, I made myself a pasta dinner and yeah I ate about a pound of pasta... at least I'm so full that's what it feel like. Well, I am going to enjoy the US Open on my DVR.
WEEKEND This past weekend was so awesome! Saturday, I went surfing to try out my new board and yes, "I Love IT!" So worth the extra hassle. :) The south shore had swells coming in, so since it has been about 3 weeks since I went surfing last, I got tossed around a bit, but hey it was all good fun. After surfing and relaxing on the beach, it was the 92nd Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade. Pretty cool stuff! Later, I saw "La Misma Luna" at the $1 theater and its really good. The movie reminds me of the Filipino struggle and the American Dream.
From the Parade...
On Sunday, I was just on a roll. I woke up, made breakfast, then went to Kapiolani Park and ran. After running and walking a lap on the park to relax and cool down, I went surfing. Yup, the swells were huge and I caught some awesome waves. The last wave was so huge, when it broke it was going so fast, I had to squat really low and spread my arms out. If my board had been any shorter or narrower, I would have been doing some 360s underwater. The wave broke and the whitewash was a little slow, so I moved up on the board about 6" from the tip. The wave had reformed and caught some steam. Needless to say, its my biggest, fastest, longest wave ever. After that, I became a beach bum for a good 4 hours, then I had to move my van because there was another parade going on. I left directly to Kahala Mall, the Apple Store to be exact. I made an appointment because for some reason, my address book was not syncing properly with my .mac account. 10 minutes later, and a couple of clicks and such, the mac genius had fixed the problem! Super Awesome! Then I bought a clear blue noseguard for my board, and headed back to the car. Well, I haven't been doing Bikram as religiously as I used to. The fact that the Hawaii Kai location cut off the 4:30 class really isn't helping the fact, so yes on Sunday I went to Bikram Yoga at the Kaimuki location at 4:30. After that, I was basically dead. I drove home, emptied my van. I had clothes from running, wet board shorts and towel from surfing, soak filled towels from bikram. I did laundry, made some dinner, and pretty much passed out.
Pics from the Apple Store (taken on the iMac)
iPhone I am super stoked about the new iPhone coming out and for multiple reasons. The new model of the iPhone will now have 3G capabilities, flush headjack (so you can use any headsets you would like), tons of awesome 3rd party applications, its slightly thinner, comes with GPS, and yes Enterprise support (push email being the popular one), contacts search, iWork document support, the capability to view PowerPoint attachments, bulk move and delete, a scientific calculator in landscape mode. NOT ONLY THAT. I have a .mac account, which will soon be renamed mobile me. Now wouldn't it be cool if you added a contact on your cell phone that it would instantaneously update your address book in your computer, or how about if you added an event on your computer that it would immediately appear on your cell phone. Well mobileme is just that. Push email? Every smart phone pretty much has it now, but syncing your phone with your computer wirelessly? OMG! Yes, I am super stoked! Well, another person is also super stoke! My sister, Len-Len, on 7/11 when the new iPhone comes out, she will be receiving my current iPhone, which the warranty (since I purchased the extended coverage) is covered until June 29, 2010). Since most people that reading this are mac owners, you can appreciate what Apple, their genius bar, and their warranties can do for you. If they can't fix it, they will replace it, and if its a model that no longer exists, you will get the new model. (lol, not a hint for Len-Len to throw it around) Wow, its really late. Dang... all this iPhone talk got me all excited! I know a lot of phones do a lot of things, but hey, I have over 120GB of media on my iTunes. Its nice to have my music, videos, movies, podcasts around. I heart Apple!
TV Now that its summer, I rarely watch TV, but dang there are no shows to watch. No ANTM, Top Chef is almost over, Project Runway is no where to be seen. House is done. Arrgghh! I want my 30 rock! The Avatar! 1 more season of Battlestar Galactica. I swear if it wasn't for re-runs of The Golden Girls and America's Best Dance Group, and The Soup, and The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show... Well, I guess I have enough to tide me over until next season
Random - Part 1 So what is going on with me? Nothing much. This past weekend...the usual. Beach and surfing. I hiked up Koko Head on Saturday late afternoon for an extra workout. There were 2 things that really caught my eye and stood out...
Tennis Balls (dang, they're really round)
Awesome View (and they said the iPhone takes bad photos!)
Random - Part 2 Hmmm... I am so bored at work. I paid my bills, balanced my checkbook, browsed multiple websites for things I probably won't buy, and yup... Its still before lunch. I have been web-window shopping. Maybe Sex and the City via iTunes? Damn Target for not shipping to Hawaii. I haven't decided what I want to treat myself for my birthday. I do have a wish list but they are things I don't really need. I am debating on a new surfboard, a new iMac (really unnecessary as my iBook G4 works fine), a pickup truck (a definite no need as well as my van works fine). I have decided on 2 tattoos though. One will be going on my back, the title of my blog (ima wo ikiru - Live in the Moment - in Kanji) and the 2nd will be going on my hip which is my name in Kanji.
Max Live in the Moment
Random - Part 3 It pays to be nice. One of my former co-workers at my old mortgage company called me and told me that he has United Miles that are expiring, so guess what? He'll be transferring 15,000 United miles to my account. Sweet! Soon enough miles for a round the world trip! Speaking of miles, I crossed the 140K threshold! Enough for 2 tickets round trip to Australia. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie Oi!
Random - Part 4 My pipeline is clearing out! I guess its a good time I am going on vacation.
@ Home I've been spending a lot more time at home. On M-W-F (work -> yoga -> home), on Tu-Th (work -> home). I guess this is for 2 main reasons, saving money and saving money. Spending a lot more time at home, I have found various things to keep me company. I have been playing more XBOX 360 (mostly RPGs - currently playing Eternal Sonata, just finished Lost Odyssey). OMG, so yeah I'm in love with TV. In the morning before work, I enjoy watching the Today Show. I normally watch The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert (I am in love with the 2 aforementioned shows). On Tuesday, I watch American Idol. On Wednesdays, I watch Top Chef, America's Net Top Model, sometimes the result show of ANTM. Fridays, I watch The Soup! SNL on Saturdays! On Sundays, I watch Desperate Housewives. Besides TV, I've been cooking every night for dinner. I've also been reading all my magazines. I subscribe to Popular Mechanics, Surfing, Entertainment Weekly, The Honolulu Advertiser.
Weekend SATURDAY Whew, where do I begin? I woke up Saturday, ate a bowl of cereal, Venus wasn't ready to go surfing, so I ran. My knee is still giving me a little trouble.
Then I went to register for the Honolulu Marathon! I got there at 8:45 and registration started at 10:00, and I was like #30. It was early registration this Saturday and Sunday, and locals pay only $30. If you wait until normal registration, its $80 for Kamaaina. After that, picked up Venus, then we went surfing, caught some awesome waves, it was high tide and yeah... I was out there for almost 2 hours. The board I am riding now is 8'9", the shorter the board the harder it is. Most people start on a 12', and hopefully soon I'll be on a shortboard. Baked in the sun for a couple of hours. After baking in the sun for an additional 2 hours, its Waikiki Spam Jam.
Waikiki Spam Jam This is an annual event where they close 4 blocks of Kalakaua (and you know that's a busy street) and it turns into a block party until 10PM. There are 2 music stages, one on each end. TONS of Spam-affiliated food.
Street at 4pm (it didn't start until 5 - last year over 20,000 people attended) Spam Merchandise (I almost bought a SPAM t-shirt!) Spam Mascot (I wanted to bite him) Spam - Hula Show (they were awesome, they did 2 numbers... so cute the kids)
After that, we went to Hula's for 1 drink. Then sat on the beach and watched the sunset. And guess what? I was on TV?! That's me in the Blue... in 3 shots (0:20, 0:35, 0:39)! :)
SUNDAY Guess what? Surfing! Well, before that Venus came by and I made an awesome breakfast, then off to the beach for more sun and surf! Got home at 6:30P, did laundry, watched Desperate Housewives.
Yup a great weekend. If you've read all the way here, I'd suggest book marking my blog as soon I will stop automatic emails of my posts.
Weekend This past weekend was pretty chill. Basically went surfing both days, laid out on the beach, swam in the pool for about 2 hours. Yup, I am getting really dark and toned! Also went to the $1 theater saw Jumper, which was pretty entertaining. Surprising thing of all is that I don't think I spent more than $20 the whole weekend! I am being super thrifty. I have to book my tickets from Lisbon to Marrakesh. I need spending $ for a couple of trips coming up, not to mention I want a new surfboard for my birthday.
Planning Whew, planning things can be quite exhausting. I want my Vegas/LA/SD trip to be fun filled. I am thinking Catalina May 31st ($60 R/T-pp) if you wanna go, departing out of LB harbor and hopefully Sea World the day prior. I want to book a couple of shows for Vegas. Not to mention FOOD! I want to go to Bobby Flay's restaurant in LV. Here are my official travel dates: Las Vegas: May 24-27, LA: May 27-29, San Diego: May 29 - June 2. Let's start planning dinner dates!
Book of the Month - April I read about 2 books every month. My pick this month is "Remember Me" by Sophie Kinsella. I read this book in about a 1.5 days. Its basically a story about staying true to yourself, how events in your life change but at the end of all of it, don't forget who you are. Its a cross between How the Devil Wears Prada and Time Travel. I would suggest picking this up. Really entertaining.
Fastest Time Ever! Today, I clocked in my fastest mile ever. Considering that my knees were bothering me, I really can't wait to push the envelope and see how fast and far I can go. Hopefully soon, I'll be down to 6 minute miles.
I decided it was Spring Cleaning time... Online Spring cleaning. I may have gone overboard, but I don't think most people will notice. I updated my Gmail contacts, I had 996, now down to 78 (I updated everyone's full name). I have deleted myspace, cyworld, yahoo, picturetrail, friendster, WAYN and ringo accounts. With all of the online technology available today, I just find that people create false sense of relationships. Is the friend on your top 8 a friend if you leave each other 1000s of comments, but never talk on the phone? My answer is no. As much as I love technology, there are certain things that takes things too far. Yes, I am guilty of blogging about my life, or writing heartfelt emails to friends, but it doesn't end there. Its supplemented by phone calls, Christmas cards, birthday cards and gifts. Not just a e-greeting. Technology should supplement your life. Not replace it.
Travel Plans
Just to update everyone on my travel plans for the rest of the year! I have a ticket to Argentina in May which I will be postponing. Instead, I am heading to Las Vegas for Memorial Day Weekend. I am taking off the 1st week in June to head to Australia, I decided that I am only going if I can get a buddy pass from someone to head down there. If not, I might just extend my Vegas trip for a week, and head to LA and visit family and friends or head to Maui for a week to clear my head and decide what to do with life. My big trip of the year is to Europe, I have a confirmed ticket to Lisbon, Portugal for September. I haven't 100% decided which other countries I will be visiting.
Farthest Run in 2008... Saturday morning, I decided to run. Ok, I have to deviate on why I woke up earlier than expected and why I felt the need to run (the answer, relieve stress). On the 15th, I placed an order with Nike.com for new shoes, a singlet, and lots of headbands. Since I spent over $175, I qualified for free shipping. After receiving my order confirmation, I realized that it was for UPS ground, so I called immediately and a gentleman named Mike assisted me. He informed me that since I was in Hawaii, my order was going to be shipped via USPS Priority mail. After leaving him a great feedback, low and behold! I get a tracking number on the 18th that the items have been shipped via UPS ground. Oh, I was livid. Their customer support center was already closed, so I decided to email them. Saturday, I woke up at 6AM! I called Nike. I was informed by the agent since the item have been shipped, there is nothing they can do about it. They can't call UPS and change the shipping to 2 day air - I call BS -, so she didn't offer me any solutions whatsoever, just wait until my items arrive which was expected to be the 28th, which will be later than that because I am in Hawaii. Racking my brain for answers, I came up with a solution! I duplicated my order, had her ship it 2 day air (at no charge), and email me a return label for the other items (also free), after that, I set my Nike + for 10 miles, and yes, I completed 10 miles. I thought i was never going to finish. There was so much headwind on the way home...For some reason the flash isn't working (so i can't post my run), but needless to say, I ran 16.25 Km. I am almost ready for the 1/2 marathon!
MORE (about my weekend)! Saturday, I checked into my hotel. Yes! I got a hotel for 1 day, because I didn't want to try to find parking in the morning for the AIDS walk. So I checked in, went to the beach, got some sun. Decided I needed to go surfing, so I went surfing. Well, its been 5 months, since I last surfed last, and oh yeah, its something I really miss! After we went surfing, we ate at Chili's. They have a new huge cheeseburger which is awesome! Then we went to Hula's! It was great. It was my first time drinking in ages! I only had 3 drinks though and I was pretty buzzed. After that just went back to the hotel, and pretty much passed out. I woke up at 6:30, as usual, and yup, went surfing, and oh yeah, I got my ass whooped. Great fun! I was riding a 8'9" that didn't have wax on it, but still caught a couple of good waves. Time just really passed me by, I didn't realize what time it was 8. I had to haul ass back to the hotel, grab and shirt and run to Kapiolani park for the AIDS walk.
The AIDS walk was so much fun! There were soooo many people there (see pic), they had everything. A cheerleading group, a warm up session with an instructor, water points, free starbucks, bananas, various booths (I got a pedometer at one), and a grab bag upon finishing. After the walk, ran back to the hotel, checked out, went to Ward, ate a Loco Moco at Big City Diner! Saw an awesome movie, The Forbidden Kingdom! Then went back to the beach for 2 more hours of sun, ate an early dinner at Spaghetti Factory and here we are, doing laundry and getting ready for the week up ahead.
2008 Honolulu AIDS walk pic, this doesn't even show 1/3 of the people there.
Team Max (3 absentees, 1 was drunk, and 2 couldn't find parking)
Picture at the beach on Sunday (yes I am getting dark =^_^=)
