Weekly Shenanigans

This is SO not good for me.....but I don't care!!!

Every Monday evening after dance practice my friend and I go to Tutti Frutti for some froyo and to hang out....mostly to hang out.

The strangest thing is...the owner is a good friend of my coworker. Recently my coworker has been asking every Monday "So Stacey, you going to Tutti Frutti today?" About a couple months ago they brought in brownies as a topping. One week they ran out and I was devastated (ok, it wasn't that bad...but still I was sad). Now I respond to my coworker with "It depends if they have brownies!...No brownies, no business!" This past Monday he called his friend to verify if they had brownies. As you can see from the picture above, they did!

Every time we go to Tutti Frutti a wave of customers always follows. My comment is always "It never fails!" We show up and then others just so happen to follow.

good conversations over a cup of tea

It's been a while since I had some Tutea Frutea (clever). So I decided to get Earl Grey tea. What was hilarious....we had to instruct the girl how it was done since she was new. She commented "No one has ever ordered tea before." We got that same comment the first time we ordered it a few months back.

I did forget to mention that I go to Tutti Frutti in my practice clothes (yukata) so it does get cold sometimes. And for some reason this past Monday I felt a little cold and needed some caffeine.

ooooooooo.....shiny......

My friend and I bide the time by talking and taking pictures. Well she usually takes pictures and I talk. But this time I decided to take a few pictures since the table caught my eye. I've noticed it before, but I had the urge to take a picture of it this time. Maybe because it was extra shiny this time?

got some color in the reflection!

So how long do we stay there.....till closing! Most times we get there before 8:30 PM and they close at 10:00 PM. There are times when we stay in the parking lot after they close and talk...which we did. And here I am making fun of my aunt who can stay at McDonald's for over 2 hours with her friend every Sunday.

May Movie Madness!!!....and Other Craziness!!!

May has come and gone......and of course I've forgotten to post something during that month.

There's good reason for it....random craziness! Or could it be that May was just so epic! (I mean I still write 05 instead of 06 for the date)

During the month May, there were festivals, performances, the winding down of the school year and....MOVIES!

Every year, the first and second week of May is dedicated for the Maui Matsuri (http://www.mauimatsuri.com/). This means......performances and stress! I don't know why, but for the past 4 years I've volunteered to help my coworker decorate her booth. I always get stressed out (even though it shouldn't be). Maybe it's the competitive nature that I have in me. You see, each year they have a contest for the best decorated booth. Since I helped them win a couple of years, I've been recruited to help each year.

You'd think I'd stress more about the performances than the actual festival.....Hah! Performances are easy nowadays. It's just a good thing we perform as a group. If it was a solo thing.....then I'd stress! Also, we didn't have to participate in the fashion show. I know it's good publicity to help with the fashion show....but it's a lot of work getting into those clothes! Not only that, we have to change into our club uniform in 2 seconds!!

After stressing out on the decorations for the booth what happens........it rains! And majority of the decorations were paper! I guess that's a good thing. I was trying to get rid of those decorations anyways! 

But enough about dance....the most important thing in May is.....summer movies!!! Granted summer technically doesn't start until June....but who keeps track of these things. 5 weeks in May and we managed to watch 4 movies during the opening weekend for each! First to kick off the summer movie madness....Iron Man 3.

I'm not much of a movie reviewer...but Iron Man 3 in my opinion was quite weak. I'm not very familiar with the Ultimate series of comics or any recent Iron Man comics (like I have time for that...I used to). If you want to end a trilogy of movies, you have to make it bigger than the first movie of the series. Granted that whenever you start any series, you put your all into the first one just in case that's the only movie there will be. But after 2 Iron Man movies, you would think the 3rd would be a little more epic. But I'm not going into that since I really don't do movie reviews.

The 2nd weekend of May we went to watch...The Great Gatsby. If you didn't read that book, then it really isn't something you'd really HAVE to see. I've read the book in high school and really liked. If you ever read it, you'd know that the one gripe I have in the book is....the horrible grammar! But you still get the gist of the story if you correct the grammar in your head. The movie was like reading the book but a lot more glitz and glamour (it is Hollywood). I didn't really think that the main character was narrating the story from a psych ward...but it's something I wouldn't have thought. But I could see how the writers got to that conclusion.

The next weekend was a movie that I was anticipating to see....Star Trek: Into Darkness. My advice...don't see this movie when you're hung over. I was amazed that I lasted through the movie. Even though I was hungover and feeling miserable, I enjoyed the movie very much. I love the direction J.J. Abrams is taking the Star Trek series. It's a good alternate reality to see Spock as more human than Vulcan.

Next week, we went and did a double viewing. We watched both Fast and Furious 6 and the Hangover 3. I think we should have watched Hangover 3 before watching Fast and Furious 6. Fast and Furious was much more action packed throughout the movie than Hangover 3. I didn't expect the Fast and Furious franchise go this far. But now I'm unsure with James Wan taking the reigns for the final part to the franchise. We shall see. As for the Hangover....it was kind of a let down. After the first 2 movies, you would think the finale would be just as f-ed up and more so. The story was good but that's not what people want to see when it comes to the Hangover.

I still cannot believe we did all that movie watching and I survived not getting sick. I shouldn't be worried. I think my immune system is pretty healthy with all my running that I've been doing. It's funny that my parents ask me if I still go running. While my coworkers comment about how often I go running and why I am running so much. The reason I am running so much is that....I can't stop! It's true. When you get into running, not running feels weird. The other reason is that I want to do better this year. Not like last year, where I did horrible. I dropped the ball last year....or I just set the standard high with my first marathon back in 2010.

Anyways....May was crazy with movies...What will June bring? Probably more movies! That and dance!

I Survived the Tax Season!!!!

Yeah, yeah....I know, I know....Monthly blog?! Hah!

Well there's a reason for not keeping up with my blog.....TAXES! Yes, that's right! For 2 whole months I worked 7 days a week. 5 days at my regular accounting job and 2 days with a CPA working on taxes. I have no idea how I survived those 2 months.

Let's recap of what happened these 2+ months I've been MIA to the world...not just the internet.

January - The calm before the storm....or so you think!

After the new year, there was no time to rest. There was 舞い初め (first dance of the year) for the Maui Minyo Kai. Then the next day was the Maui Oceanfront Marathon. Yes, that's right I had a dance performance and then the next day I ran a marathon. Crazy....just a little.

Jonah's back!

Saturday ladies with Sensei

Sensei Tasaka

Finisher's shirt before finishing?!

Another medal to add to the collection!

After that mayhem, some of the members of the Maui Minyo Kai went to the Japanese Culture Society's 新年宴会(New Year's Party). But first things first....time to give me a present for all the running I've been doing! So I decided to get the K-Drama phone....the Samsung Note II!!!

Maui Minyo Kai's table!

New toy!

February - The storm is starting to brew!

Packet has arrived!

First thing to happen in February....Tokyo Marathon packet! Yes, I participated in the 2013 Tokyo Marathon! It was my 2nd time participating. This year a couple of friends will be running as well! Group vacay!

A rare picture!

 I cannot remember when but I think it was February when my grandma's younger brother visited. It's been about 15 years since I last saw him and my cousin Neal. I couldn't believe that my cousin remembered who I was.





Time flies when you're having....fun? I started working 7 days from the beginning of the month and now it's time for my vacay. But is it really a vacay when you have to run a marathon and take your friends around a foreign country....actually 2 foreign countries. This year I went to Korea after Japan! Here's some pics from the trip

Already used to this!

Osaka from above

The water froze over!

Oooh...Fabric!

Traditional wedding ceremony

Korean food is awesome!

From the 2nd floor

Korean outlets are funky!

So you go to the 1st floor for work and 2nd floor for the club

In Incheon Airport

March - More mayhem ensues!

After coming home and reliving March 1st, I had 2 dance performances on the weekend. Of course I'm going to make it and go to work after them!

 Not even 2 weeks after running the Tokyo Marathon, I'm back on a plane to run yet another marathon....well, a half-marathon. It's the 2nd annual Honolulu Hapalua (half-marathon). This year I found out how much endurance I have. It poured the entire time! But things you do for a medal!

Got my medal!

April - I can see the finish line!

I couldn't believe how fast April came by! The first weekend....another run! That's right! At least it's only a 5K and I don't have to get on an airplane for it!

5 months....5 medals!

After all this mayhem...running, dancing, taxes.....I made it! I'm still alive! I'm still sane! Now what's next?!

New Year....New Resolutions....Why?

kagami mochi (left) and Hello Kitty 巳 (right)

少し遅れたの...新年明けましておめでとうございます！(Just a little late....Happy New Year!)

2012 what happened to you?! It's already 2013! Time flies when you're having....fun? I don't know how much fun 2012 was. In my last blog, I put how much of a disappointment 2012. With 2012 done and 2 days into 2013, hopefully things turn around this time!

First of all, I changed the title of the blog. There's NO WAY I can keep a somewhat daily blog. I just have too much $#!+ going on to find the time to write a blog a day. Plus nobody wants to read my blog. So why do I do it? Why not write in a journal and not publicly publish things of my life?....I have no clue why I do this. Maybe it's just to rant and maybe someone out there thinks the same as me...or maybe they think the opposite and would like to argue and make a comment (hint hint).

So...美ちゃん's randomness. Yes, there's a lot of randomness in my life. I have my job, dance, running, sewing, baking, crafting....and whatever I can fit in my schedule. Hey you only live once....unless you believe in reincarnation and then you can live many many lifetimes.

With the new year, comes new year's resolutions. Why do we torture ourselves and come up with things we KNOW we won't do? I mean at first it seems like a good idea and then a month goes by and you realize you've been slacking. Then another month and another month...soon it's the end of the year and you start making another list of unaccomplished things. But I'm just being cynical. I put myself through this torture EVERY year.

So here we go!.....2013 resolutions!

1. Lose the 10 lbs. I gained in 2012! (what the....that's right I gained that much weight....and proud of it!...not really)
2. Finish a marathon in under 5 hours....or just have a P.R. (personal record)
3. Learn to speak Korean well. (I am only learning basics for February, but I would like to be able to be as proficient as my Japanese)
4. Be a better Japanese speaker. (Even though I can read, write and understand Japanese, my speaking skills suck! Plus I want to be good enough to pass the JLPT N1)
5. Spend more time with family. (Last year, I kinda dropped the ball on that one)
6. Start studying for my CPA. (I keep telling myself every year....and nothing happens!)

I think that's enough resolutions for a year....maybe a little too much! But if I think about it if I accomplish #1, then #2 would be attainable. Losing weight will definitely improve my running (as long as I don't lose too much muscle mass). #5 may be a challenge. Work, dance and running take up majority of my time that it only leaves Saturday and Sunday (during my slow season) to spend time with my grandma (my last grandparent...she's fighter!).

As long as I keep a positive perspective on this whole resolution idea, most of my list may be accomplished this time! We shall see in the coming months. I know January will fly by in no time with all the work that's in store for me!

Enough about resolutions....time to change subjects....New Years!

How was everyone's new year? Mine....it was....tiring but enjoyable!

Every year I slave away in the kitchen baking new year's treats for work, home and friends. It's become almost a tradition for many. Isn't that what the holidays are for....tradition (I'll get more into the subject of tradition later). So what do I make....乳団子(chichidango...look it up if you don't know) and 振り掛け(furikake) mix.

Chichidango

With 13 coworkers, it's a little more difficult making enough for everyone. So I had to cheat a little. Instead of giving the usual amount I give to my coworkers in previous years, I had to give a little less. I don't think they mind. The only way they'd mind is if I DON'T make anything....hey that's an idea. That would throw everyone off!

In the end, I made 5 batches of chichidango which is 240 pieces!

The kids getting in on the tradition...Rock Band

Does anyone have New Year's traditions? Well for me every New Year's Eve, Scott and I go to his uncle's house for some food, fireworks and Rock Band. This year Scott made the comment (pointing at the Xbox hard drive) "You know this is the only thing I'm good for." I got confused when he said it. He tells me that his cousin actually texted him an invite to the party only to ask to bring the Xbox hard drive. I guess you could see it that way. But in his family's eyes it's tradition to know when and where the New Year's Eve party is going to be. Still, it'll be nice if someone would invite you and not assume you know.

andagi

Because we're Okinawan or part Okinawan, usually I am the one that makes サタアンダギ(sata andagi) for his family. I guess no one else wants to try and make it. For me, it's not that hard (maybe it's because I've been making it for 7 years now...I guess you can say I've had some practice).

Recently I've been designated to make it for my own family. I guess my mom is handing over the reigns to me.....not sure if I would like that responsibility but I haven't gotten any complaints about my andagi (only from my mom...but that's expected).

What is New Year's Eve without fireworks? (I'm not making a joke...it's just a segue) At the Kina house (Scott's uncle), majority of the night is actually building the midnight show (mostly firecrackers and magic whips). As a kid, I loved playing with fireworks but now I just think of it as burning your money (figuratively and literally). I guess since Longs Drugs had a fire sale on fireworks, Scott's uncle bought enough to make not 1, not 2, but 4 sets of firecrackers!

New Year's has also become a tradition for some friends of mine. Last year we went to Haleakala Crater to watch the first sunrise of the year. Because of that, we made plans to do it every year. Last year it was just my cousin Mitchell and Nadine. This year we added one more to the party....Mel.

So with just 2, 1 hour-ish power naps in my system, the 4 of us head to the crater. We left the same time as last year 3:30 AM (craziness!), but for some reason there quite a few people driving up the mountain at the same time (Gah! I guess it's a trendy thing to do....gotta think of new thing to do). There were even people claiming their spot at the viewpoint when we got there at 4:30 AM! We still got a primo spot for our pictures. Only 2 and half more hours until sunrise!

silhouettes of the brave ones to hike up there 

When you're freezing your butt off during a time when you usually are sleeping, time moves at a snails pace....well that's how it felt for me. Not much pictures can be taken when there's NO light! Slowly by slowly people start to migrate from their cars, buses and even motorcycles when some light starts to shine.

sun starting its way to the horizon

Now I'm stuck by a girl that keeps fidgeting. As I take some test shots, she keeps bumping into me. At least she apologized once to me. Can't say the same for my friend Mel who had a Korean girl hovering over her until they moved by me.

6:55 AM....where's the sun? It's having trouble breaking through the layer of vog. So I guess it did rise at 6:55 AM but we couldn't see it. I think the sun just likes to make a dramatic entrance! This year's sunrise was much better than last year's. The difference....clouds! Clouds make the scenery more beautiful. It's kinda dull when the sky is clear. I think the vog aided with the colors we got to see during the sunrise. 2013 seems to be looking good!

here comes the sun!

Last year we didn't get to do it...so we went for a little hike...you know since we're up here anyway....Here's some pics from the hike.

Nadine checking out the homeless.
Not really she's actually looking up.

Yay got a pic of the bird!

ozoni made by my cousin! いただきます！

Another tradition for the Japanese is to eat お雑煮(ozoni). No one in my family actually makes this (maybe I will try and learn how). My cousin Mitchell volunteered himself to make some for us! Everything was prepared (except for the chicken that didn't want to defrost in the refrigerator when we were at the crater). For some reason I had another burst of adrenaline and was wide awake (maybe from the 10 minute power nap in the car).

After freezing my butt off this was something we all needed to revive ourselves!

another tradition...dad passed out after dinner

My family and many Japanese families in Hawaii have a tradition to watch 紅白歌合戦(Red & White Song Festival) on Kiku TV on New Year's Day....or you can be lucky and have NGN and watch it live during New Year's Eve....or you can be crazy and watch the NGN and Kiku TV broadcasts. This year's line up didn't impress me since I have been neglecting a lot of J-pop and been focused on K-pop artists. This year the K-pop artists weren't at 紅白 because SM Entertainment had their own New Year's Celebration. At least my fave band SMAP performed, but of course they are the ending act.

So however you may celebrate the New Year, I hope you enjoyed it!

2013....the year of....accomplishments?....we'll see!