An open letter to University of Hawaii.

AN OPEN LETTER TO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII

Aloha,

My name is Max and after a 5 year hiatus of being self-employed. I have saved up enough funds to attend school full time to finish my degree.

My main concern with the process of going back to school is how disjointed University of Hawaii system is. I understand there are different schools within the system and for logistic reasons beyond my comprehension applying to schools within the UH system is more complicated than reading self-employed tax returns.

My 1 suggestion: have a centralized database for official transcripts.

If a student applies to UH system, he/she would send official transcripts to 1 address. Should the student decide to attend another university within the UH-system, that school can also access that secured database with official transcripts.

This is where my problem lies. I have applied and have been accepted to UH-Manoa. After analyzing my options and financial situation, it would be beneficial if I attended UH-Hilo, due to lower cost of living.

In addition to costs of applying to UH-Hilo, that particular university is now requiring me to request official transcripts. Why the UH system doesn't communicate with its fellow members to help its students is beyond me.

It would not only be beneficial to the students to have to only send 1 set of official transcripts, but also to the UH-system itself. Instead of having each school devote resources to transcripts, there can be 1 centralized location for official transcripts.

Hopefully, the UH system can move forward and greater assist its future students.

Mahalo for your time.




Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Apple = Greenest Company?

APPLE = GREENEST COMPANY?

Apple has recently touted its recent MacBook and MacBook Pro to be the greenest on the planet.

One thing that Apple can work on is packaging.

Seriously? You sent a product the size of 2 CDs in a container that can fit 15-20 of the same product.

I love my Apple, but today its leaving a sour aftertaste.

iLife 09


Same box with a few things



Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Shopaholics

SHOPAHOLICS

Attention to all shopaholics and super thrifty shoppers alike.

I've added a retailmenot.com widget on the right hand site of this blog.

If you shop online often, check out the website to see if there are any promotional codes. Maybe you'll get free shipping, or maybe even 40% off! I'd even suggest joining me at retailmenot.com and sharing your deals with the rest of the online community.

My user name is hawaiiinsomniac if you want to add me.

http://hawaiiinsomniac.blogspot.com/

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Next International Travel Destination

NEXT INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DESTINATION

Where to go? For my 29th birthday, I definitely want to spend at least 5 days in the Philippines in another island than Luzon.

Upon doing my research, I was surprised the amount of low cost carrier airlines that fly to/from Manila and all over. There are plenty of airlines to choose from (I'll list by website in case you want to take a peek): tigerairways.com, flyseair.com, cebupacificair.com, asianspirit.com, airphilippines.com and even more!

Here is a pic of Cebu Pacific's Route.

I am really having a hard time... I'm debating on Thailand, Vietnam, or mainland China. I haven't been to any of those places.

So little time, so many places...

Where to go???



Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Goodbye, Mr. Reliable

MR. RELIABLE

I can't believe its been almost 4 years, and yes, its time for us now to part.

We've paid bills together, gone shopping, read the latest news. We've been to 3 continents together, met countless friends, kept in touch with our closest siblings, and make a couple of appointments here and there.

This is been an unbelievable run and I am sad to see you go, but as you know sometimes the grass is greener on the other side.

I am surprised that there are many people out there that want you, so off you go to your new home. Hopefully, you will be taken care of as well as I have taken care of you and vice versa. Show them the kindness and ease of the new world that you opened my eyes to.

I can't believe you still fetch a premium price after all these years. Yes, I know what I did isn't the best thing, selling you on eBay. But it just goes to show that you are still a top notch product.

Wish you all the best with your new owner. Fortunately, he's in Maui. You won't have to go anywhere cold, and maybe I can stop by and see you sometime.

PS. You had a winning bid of $459.00. I can't believe it! Going to miss you mucho!

Your friend always,
-Max



Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Official Marathon Picture

OFFICIAL MARATHON PICTURE

Yes! I paid for 1 picture and 1 picture only. It was rather pricey and shipping was $4.99. Are you kidding me?! Anywho a picture is worth 1000 words, so they say...




Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Australian Open

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Last night I stayed up until 1AM watching my pick to win the 2009 Australian Open.

I am very upset that Venus Williams has lost in the 2nd round, and so are my neighbours.

Just to share the magnitude of this loss... let's talk about some facts... Venus Williams ranked 6th in the world. 6'1" tall, 7 Grand Slam titles. Carla Suarez Navarro (you're not alone if you've never heard of her...) ranked in the 40s, 5'4" tall, 1st time in a Grand Slam event. I am just shocked. Ms. Carla Suarez Navarro never served over 100 mph. After the 2nd set and Venus was up a break on the 3rd, I thought the game was hers...

Ugh! I really could talk about this for days. I was thinking I'd love to see Venus in Melbourne (my fav city)... If I went down there this year and saw her lose, I'd lose it. SERIOUSLY.

I'm tired and cranky. blah.


Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Free Car Wash

FREE CAR WASH

I love it when it rains... HARD! I don't have to wash my car.

The last 2 days public schools on all the islands (except Big Island) have had the day off due to "winds". Today, city employees had the day off as well. It was expected that we were going to have "gusts" up to 60 mph.

However, it hasn't been windy at all. Funny how our state seizes to operate due to "Wind". Not hurricane. "Wind"



Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Portuguese

PORTUGUESE

I have decided to study Portuguese for my 3rd language. I just really fell in love with the way it sounds and Portugal itself.

We'll see, I guess my official New Year's resolution... a tad bit late.



Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Ghetto Fabulous...

GHETTO FABULOUS

Alright! I have decided to go overseas for my 29th birthday.

Since traveling is quite expensive during the summer, would it be ghetto fabulous or completely tasteless to ask people to get you a Hawaiian airlines gift card so you can jet set to the other side of the world...



Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

When are "SLIM" fit jeans... too slim???

SLIM FIT JEANS

I guess slim fit jeans are back in now, and now more slim fitty than ever.

When are slim fit jeans too slim? I guess its a personal preference, I thought I'd try some on to see what the fuss is about and yeah... I left like a stuffed sausage with my thighs and I almost fell down from crying and laughing so hard.

Maybe if I moved to New York, or LA, this is cool, but back in Hawaii, I'd just look retarded.



Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.