
JUST WANTED TO RECOMMEND THIS BOOK BY RICHARD PAUL EVANS CALLED "THE CHRISTMAS BOX" FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR A QUICK HOLIDAY READ. IT'S VERY SHORT AND SWEET, AND A GOOD REMINDER FOR US ALL OF HOW WE SHOULD CELEBRATE DAILY THE TRUE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS.
One of their major developments includes The Ho'ulu Hou Project: Stories Told By Us, a series of books published in Hawaiian and English, which feature the "stories of the history, geography, language and culture" of the Ko'olauloa Community. They are very unique and fun to read because many authors and pictures are recognizable places and people in our community. As a courtesy to the children of Hoala Na Pua, we receive most, if not all, of the published copies which are now s0ld at our local Borders. Isn't that awes0me? They're very interesting/entertaining and we love and cherish our collection. At our recent Thanksgiving party, we were gifted 11 more titles and a free Na Kamalei book bag!
Overall...OVERRATED, but it was a ticket out of Laie for a few hours.
How cute is this booth picture? I found it in my daughter's purse the other day while we were cleaning. It was taken one day when my sis took the kids (her 3 + Lole) to the mall, where they played mini golf, ate at Pandas, and cruised around for the whole afternoon...giving me some good reading/tv/alone time. (Yah, it's normally a vertical strip of pics, but I tweaked it to make more room.) Ahhh, I love these guys!
Last night we made a special trip to PCC to eat dinner at Ambassadors and watch the free showing of "Forever Strong." After crab legs, mac-nut crusted chicken, prime rib, taro rolls, and a few deserts (I won't say how many), we were shocked to find the movie line already formed outside the IMAX theater. Though the theater maxes out at 600, there were still many outside who didn't get to come in. The film's Exec Dir Brad Pelo (also of "Legend of Johnny Lingo") gave a brief intro before it started and shook people's hands after the crowd's applause at the end. It's a feel-good, coming of age type story, highlighting the nation's winningest high school rugby team out of Highland, UT of all places. (Record: 391 wins, 9 losses and 17 national championships...AMAZING!) Funny, corny, sad,...it's all of those things, but meaningful as well. Oh, and they do the HAKA too, which I don't care if it's done by white boyz or polyz, it still gives me goosebumps.
Lole's had an interest in wearing fake glasses since she'd seen her aunties wear them around over the past year. She wears them like any other accessory, and can withstand the irritation of the weight on the bridge of her nose (something I can't do even with regular sunglasses). People always question whether or not they're prescription, and when I say NO, they either think it's the cutest thing or the wierdest. I myself used to sport a pair, but only briefly in 9th grade when I thought I was making a huge fashion statement. I think I only got complimented once! Lol. Oh well, she does look much cuter in them than I ever did!8 Favorite TV SHOWS: Intervention, Take Home Chef, Closed Case, Diners Drive Inns & Dives, Conan O’Brien, A Baby Story, Jon&Kate+8, Little People Big World
8 Favorite RESTAURANTS: Papa Ole’s, Hukilau Café, Chili’s, Red Lobster, Spaghettini’s, Rosie’s (just for the fried ice cream & chips/salsa), Shrimp Shack in Kahuku (not Giovannis, the other one by Texaco), Pandas
8 Things on my WISH LIST: good weather on Halloween, visit family in Utah (buddy passes anyone?), a million dollars, for this election to be over with, my own home, trip to Disneyland, my family’s continued health & safety, move outta Hawaii!
8 Things I LOVE about FALL: new school year, cooler weather, football season, closer to Christmas, rainy (koko & bread) days, summer clothes go on sale, shorter days/longer nights, less tourists

Besides the excitement of starting NEW MOON, Lole (thanks to my sis Fia) got her first boogie board lesson today! None of us had originally planned on going to the beach, but my cousin called and asked if anyone wanted to join. It must've been a relief for my niece and nephew--whom i found having "quiet reading time" forced upon them by their mom this afternoon--because they're on break! Kalofae. I was so happy Lole enjoyed herself, what with her being cooped up indoors with a bookworm these last few days. My sis said that even when Lole would fall off the board or flip over she'd say, "That was AWESOME! Let's do it AGAIN! 

Lole had a false cavity scare yesterday, which turned out to be just ANOTHER tooth defect according to the dentist. WHEW! This is the 2nd time this year, and although I am grateful she doesn’t have any cavities, what is up with this DEFECT deal? At least I know she LOVES going to the dentist, look at that smile!
I don’t like FA’ALAVELAVE’s and we usually never go ‘coz Bo is somewhat anti-social when it comes to his family. Yesterday we found out that my mother-in-law’s uncle passed away on her Palepale family side, and for some reason or other, Bo actually wanted to go. I murmured silently and aloud, trying to get my husband to realize how tired he was from work to convince him we shouldn’t. I even uttered that this was going to be a waste of time, and that we don’t even REALLY KNOW the dude who died (actually he knew him a little, I didn’t at all). Bo never responded defensively and instead gave me the option to stay home. I reluctantly agreed to go and as we were getting ready, Lole asked me where we were headed. (I’ve taken her to Mormon services at the chapel before but never to a Tongan putu of another faith.) I explained to her that we were going to a funeral because someone in grandma’s family died. It surprised me to hear the sadness in her response and to see the sincerity in her face as she said ever so sweetly, “Aw…BUT, I LOVE THEM!”
Selfishness is unbecoming of a Latter Day Saint, if I am so worthy to call myself such, and so is taking without ever giving or reaching out to those in need of comfort and support. Even though it was more like a (very small) hand in the kitchen as my mom-in-law prepared food, driving her to and from Kalihi and repectful smiles/hugs to her grieving family, my shame (for complaining earlier) dissipated in the end. Such is the calling of a Christ-like people: to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that need comfort and to bear one another’s burdens that they may be light...WILLINGLY and WITHOUT RESERVE simply because YOU LOVE THEM.
Thank you Lole for this reminder!