GameTalk - My Gamertags! Nintendo 3DS XL, Steam and Xbox 360

Hey, waiting for New Years!  

Will be writing a couple of blogs - especially in the next couple of days, now that I don't have any classes (just finished my final earlier today!)

Here is my gamertag for:

Nintendo - 1134-8814-9233

Xbox 360 - hawaiiinsomniac

Steam - hawaiiinsomniac

Game on!  =D

Nintendo 3DS XL - Friend Code: 1134-8814-9233

Xbox 360 - gamertag - hawaiiinsomniac

Steam gamertag - hawaiiinsomniac

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

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

 Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

ChristmasTime - Best Christmas Surprise Present EVER!

For those of you who have shopped for me before, you probably know that I am not the easiest person to buy a present for (with the exception of food - of course!).

 

Christmas isn't even here yet, but I received what is probably the best surprise present I've ever received.  To be honest, the video has not only captured many memories of recent past, but also capture a bit of my essence.  The timing and message of this video couldn't be more perfect.  I prefer for my life to have more of a fluidity than most people, but in the past month, there have been major changes in my life, from my Master's Degree, life in Spain, homesickness, exercise (or lack thereof), and changes to my rock.

 

I know it sounds weird, but I was quite emotional this week, two of my bestest friends are moving and it really affected me more than I thought it would.  However, this surprise present has really made my spirits a bit more free and less worrisome.

 

Yes, the latest and greatest gadgets, or clothes are awesome.

 

But this gift is priceless.

 

Please enjoy.  I have... over and over again...

Special thank to +Poli P and +S Valencia 

 

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

I'm Amazing. Ah ah AMAZING

Some people may judge me based on my skin color.

Some people may judge me based on my sexual orientation.

Some people may judge me based on my clothes.

To be honest, I don't give a shit.

I've been doing me for quite some time and I'm comfortable in my own skin.

I'm Amazing. AH AH Amazing.

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

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

 Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

2013 - ChristmasTime - Ice Skating and Bowling

During the holidays, one of my favorite traditions is to ice skate!

This morning, we went sightseeing... I'll post some pictures tomorrow sometime.

Some people are surprised that ice skating is a tradition... it sure is - even in Hawaii (we have an ice skating rink!).  Today in Florida, it was quite HOT (28C!) so what did we do... guess?!

Ice Skating!

Hot in Tampa Bay, FL

Here in the Tampa Bay area there is only one place worth going ice skating is in Clearwater, and that is +Clearwater Ice Arena.  For $12.75, you get everything you need to ice skate for the day!

The staff is super friendly, it wasn't crowded and everyone was really friendly.  

This was Sheryll's first time ice skating! 

After ice skating (and Mexican food - yummy tamales) ... we also went bowling!  I even got a Turkey today! 

WOOT WOOT!

STRIKE!

Hope you had an awesome Saturday!

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

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

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

2013 - ChristmasTime - Gingerbread House!

For many families in the United States, the gingerbread house is an annual tradition during the holidays.  In fact, you can either make your own gingerbread house from scratch or just purchase one pre-packaged.

Earlier today, +Poli P and I built and decorated a gingerbread house together...

Here are a few pics...

To read about other Christmas traditions...
Ugly Christmas Sweater - CLICK HERE
Christmas Tree - CLICK HERE

What do you after your Gingerbread House is completed?  Some people take pictures and let it be on display for Christmas fun!  However, I'm not most people.

Here is a video on what +Poli P and I did with our gingerbread house!

Enjoy!

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

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

 Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

YouTube - Update 12/18/2013

Aloha everyone,

Just a quick announcement... I've updated YouTube cover pages so its easier to see the different videos!

Check it out - CLICK HERE

In a recording mood... haha, uploaded 3 videos the last 2 days and uploading more!

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

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

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

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.

RandomTalk - You Shall Not Pass, Dog!

Thanks +Poli P for sharing this video.

This video is quite funny, shows how dogs fear cats.

While we may laugh at it, I have to wonder, are there things we fear that are just really comical in real life?

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

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

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

MusicTalk - Rebecca Black - Saturday (and Friday)

Over two years ago, Rebecca published a video entitled Friday.

It sort of became a pop phenomenon.  Many people said it was just terrible, beyond terrible.  However, it has become viral spawning many different covers.

Personally, after listening to the song for the first time, I was like WTF.  Then after a 2nd or third listen, its a harmless pop song that became people's guilty pleasure.

Now, here we are with her new song, Saturday.  This song with Dave Days, bring a new melody, a techno-pop feel which compliments Rebecca's voice quite well.

Who knows, maybe this was the master plan all along.  Go viral and release pop music.

What's up next for Rebecca?  If you said Sunday, give her more credit.
You're listening and watching her videos.

Saturday

Friday

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

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

 Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

European Readers - 2014 Hawaiian Calendar Giveaway!

Aloha everyone!

Christmas is right around the corner, so I'll be doing a couple of giveaways!

First up: 2014 Hawaiian Calendar (yup, all 12 months!)

To Enter:
1) Leave a comment on this blog or any of my YouTube videos from now, until Wednesday, December 11) OR RT this tweet 
2) Be a resident of Europe.
3) Winner will be announced on Wednesday at midnight.  You will be contacted via email or via YouTube.
Prize will be mailed on Friday (if you win, I need your address by Thursday).

There will be a separate giveaway for US followers!

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

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

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

OpinionTalk - Amanda Bynes and America's Obsession with Celebrities

Yes, I am one of those people.  As someone who loves popular culture (minus most reality TV shows), I saw a headline for Amanda Bynes walking her dog after getting out of rehab.

SOURCE: NY DAILY NEWS

However, upon watching the video below, I felt very, uncomfortable.

As Americans, have we been so obsessed with celebrities that we can't respect their space?  While, some of you may argue that celebrities lose this privilege when they become public figures, this particular individual has just been released from rehab - treated for schizophrenia (reported by NY Daily News).

Just a quick background on schizophrenia, according to the National Institute of Mental Health:
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that has affected people throughout history.  People with the disorder may hear voices other people don't hear. They may believe other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. This can terrify people with the illness and make them withdrawn or extremely agitated.

Yet, here we are, not giving Amanda the opportunity and time to adjust, bombarding her with questions.  Yes, you are not directly asking her questions, but by watching videos, clicking on TMZ (where I first found out about this story via Google News), we are perpetuating, this very behavior.

I wish Amanda Bynes the best of luck, and I am sure most of you do as well.

Am I the only one who feel this way!?  Check out the video.

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

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

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

MusicTalk - Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus

Some say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

I'm not sure if this is the sincerest, but it's certainly the funniest.

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE:

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

 Mahalo for reading. Until next time.