2011 - A look back...

Yippee!  I've done a pretty consistant job this year posting about me and life on my blog! =D Hopefully you've been following along and reading about my adventures!

So... First I'm going to pick my favorite blog from each month... Then some quick reflection about the year and perhaps 2012.  Of course, this is the perfect time to write this blog, its 2245, I've had plenty of ice tea as well as 1/2 a bottle of wine... so the words will be flowing like the bubbly will tomorrow!

Alright... My favorite blogs:

January - riding a bike...

February - maui wowie

March - cafe latte and cappuccino

April - ribbit

May - en paris... (part deux)

June - Major Accomplishment

July - Flores... Tikal... Guatemala

August - Hawaii... First 72 hours!

September - 2011 Honolulu Century Ride

October - Before I Die...

November - Monthly Challenge - 11082011 - High School Formals...

December - Christmas Bash 2011

Top 3 most viewed blogs:

2nd runner up - Show some love... (read this one! =D)

1st runner up - 2011 Honolulu Century Ride Photos...

Winner - Dumb American moment...

2011

I seriously can't believe the year is almost over.  I am in disbelief the things that have happened this year... taking the year off from working, traveling the world, graduating from college, doing research in Guatemala, participating in the Honolulu Century Ride and getting my 50th passport stamp!  All of this while being blessed to have the company of great people around the world and the support of my friends and family.  

2012 

A new year with a new set of adventures.  Well, ringing in the new year on the Big Island!  Then getting ready for the move to Florida!  One of the reasons I am moving is I need an aspect of "uncertainty" in my life.  Some people are scared of uncertainty and I think I thrive with the unknown - having endless possibilities and a chance to explore and try something new.  

My favorite gadget this year  

(TIE) Dell Venue Pro and Blackberry Curve.  (yup - sold the iPad) Yes, these are both mobile phones, and they really have changed my life this year.  My unlocked blackberry curve allowed me to travel throughout Guatemala and Ecuador while keeping in touch with everyone new I met and everyone back home via email.  I really like my Dell Venue Pro - which runs Windows 7.5 OS - the streamlined OS has both iOS and Android beat.  (seriously)

My top 3 favorite foods this year:

Cafe Latte in Roma

Dessert after hiking miles in France

Street food in Xela.

My top 3 favorite pictures:

Ecuador

Brunch with friends!

While hiking in France

2011 - may it have brought you everything you wanted and may 2012 bring you everything you want.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Happy Holidays from Hawai'i!

Aloha everyone!

Hope you had an awesome holiday season.  Hopefully you received everything you wished for and more.  This holiday season has been beyond phenomenal for me.  Some downs but countless ups that has made me realize how lucky I am.

On Christmas day... I spent the day frolicking in the ocean and sun bathing.  Also, went to watch Mission Impossible 4 (what a great movie!)  I'm blessed to have such awesome presents this year - way beyond what I was expecting! 

This week has been great weather-wise.  Slightly chilly and cloudy in the AM (so you can sleep in a little bit) and then it gets nice and warm!  I've been pretty much outdoors every day this week.  From hiking Kuliouou ridge, going around the island, getting tanned at many beaches, eating delicious food! 

Lucky me.  Perfect weather & awesome friends.

I'll be spending my NYE on the Big Island! A new adventure for me to start 2012 - just one of many upcoming adventures! 

Have an awesome NYE! 

Have fun! 

Christmas Day - Ala Moana Beach Park

My Christmas Presents - Lucky me!

Macadamia nut pancakes from Boots & Kimo's

My slippahs - Waimea Bay

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - It's Official!

Aloha everyone!

HI to FL is a new blog section - that chronicles my move to FL (get it?! hi to FL?!)

Yesterday, I shipped my first things to Florida... via Media Mail.  Over 24 pounds of books and only $11.89.  From what I understand about media mail, you can ship everything that you can find at the library.  Books, Magazines, CDs, DVDs, etc.  I'll be shipping more things via media mail tomorrow. =D

I've been really emotional lately - perhaps underlying emotions about the move? perhaps already missing Hawaii? perhaps emotional due to the holidays!? 

It's amazing the viewpoint you have about a location when you realize you have a finite time left.  I've done more exploration and driving of the island in the last month than I have this whole year combined.  I went hiking on a trail that's 5 minutes from my house for the first time ever - Kuliouou Ridge.  Yesterday, went to a part of the beach, I've never been to - below Makapu'u.

Amazing.

What would you do if you have a finite time at a place?

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Christmas Bash 2011

My Christmas Bash was a huge success - thanks to everyone for taking the time and effort to spend some time with me! 

So... I was thinking about it this morning... yes around 5ish in the AM... what are the signs to a successful party?!

Meeting new people...

Great spread of food! YUM! (Hooray for potluck!)

Lip Gloss - new inside jokes!

Wines - bottles and bottles of wines 

Uncontrollable laughter

People passed out - during the party

Someone spends the night!

Everyone pitches in to clean up! <3 you guys!

Unforgettable memories! 

Great company!

A special thank you again to my friends... 

Hopefully next time, I'll be able to have all my friends under 1 roof!

Almost everyone - group photo!

Place witty caption in comments. o_O

The Lucky Winner!

Hope your Christmas parties are a successful event as well!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Grades

Wow... It's official.  I've passed all of my classes this semester and with flying colors.  

Actually, flying with colors for quite some time - since Fall 2009.

Looking back at my stint at UH-Manoa, I've had an awesome opportunity to be with great instructors.  I actually remember all of them... Hmm.. Let me see... 

Fall 2009: Norton, Roussev, Conred, Thompson and Glenn. Spring 2010: Arno, Yano, Wood and Krattiger.  

Fall 2010: Beaule, Blake, Yeh and Ferguson.  

Spring 2011: Bae, Pietrusewsky, Beaule, Hasager and Lid. 

Summer 2011: Cunningham and Petersen.  

Fall 2011: Bayman, Arno, Saethre, Brunson and Saethre...  

Special thanks to all of the teachers who have help mold this mind (which really isn't easy to do!)

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.