Woman On A JouRney's First Birthday

May 30, 2008: The day I posted my first blog entry. Since then, I have posted 392 entries, mostly experiences in Hawaii, my home away from home for the past two years. On my first blog birthday, I will be embarking on another journey which will bring me to South Florida. Hopefully, I will have again the privilege of sharing with you my adventures in my new home.

A huge THANK YOU to all my visitors, readers and, especially, to the wonderful people I met through this blog who've become my friends.

Scenic Sunday: Ft. DeRussy Beach Park

Ft. DeRussy Beach Park, Waikiki, Hawaii

Yummy Sunday: Proudly Pinoy

Fried dried fish

Gourmet Tuyo (boneless fillets of dried salted herring in virgin olive oil)

Fresh tomatoes

Sili (chili pepper) in vinegar

Brown rice

Iced cold tea

= a feast for this transplanted Pinay.

Royal Hawaiian Center

On Thursday night, banabear and I walked around Waikiki. We went to the Royal Hawaiian Center, a world-class garden-style mall. The area was once known as the King's Grove at Helumoa because it was once home to Hawaii's King Kamehameha I and also of Kamehameha's great-granddaughter, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

A prominent attraction in the garden is the statue of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

Last Day in Paradise

Today is my last day in Honolulu. Tomorrow morning, at around 10:30 in the morning, I will be leaving Yacht Harbor Towers for Honolulu International Airport where I will take the flight out of paradise to my new home in South Florida. Except for a few stuff, we are 99% done packing our suitcases.

It is a beautiful Saturday morning so I plan to go around Waikiki and Honolulu for the last time. I will really miss the beautiful weather, the beautiful sunset, the beautiful beaches and the friendly people of Hawaii.

Shopping Wisely

With today's economic crisis, where a lot of people are struggling to make a dollar, spending wisely is a must, especially when it comes to shopping.

Have you thought about shopping for wholesale clothing ?  This has become increasingly popular these days, with a number of online shops, offering good deals.  The wise shopper on a tight budget but who does not want to sacrifice quality and style, may think about this option.  The latest style in name brand apparel can be purchased through wholesale clothing stores at a more affordable price.   

For the business-minded who is into selling apparel, shopping at wholesale clothing stores is also an advantage.  Buying stocks by bulk at a low price enables you to sell it at a cheaper than retail price.

Photo Hunt: Book

The book I'm currently reading.

PhotoHunt

Eye Care

The skin surrounding our eyes are a sensitive part of our body.   When cleaning our face, especially these delicate areas around our eyes, we should use great care.

The common signs of aging skin are crow's feet which are wrinkles around the outer corners of the eyes; dark circles; eyebags and puffiness.  These become noticeable as we grow older.  

We cannot defy nature but healthy living and proper skin management play a great role in preventing this unsightly appearance and/or diminishing or delaying signs of an aging skin.

There are eye creams available in the market which are a great help in reducing wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes as well as reduce puffiness and dark circles.  A good eye cream contains vitamins which inhibits brusing of the skin causing our eyes to have unsightly dark circles; it has also anti-wrinkle serum which helps our skin fight against wrinkles.  It is, therefore, wise to invest in a good quality eye cream.

Monochrome Friday: Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace

A Hawaiian national treasure and the only official state residence of royalty in the United States.

Despedida from our Church family

We had a despedida potluck at the poolside of Yacht Harbor Towers last Monday with friends from church.  Our church friends, whom I consider family, will surely be missed.   Thank you, guys, for your friendship.  'til we meet again....

Diet Pill: How Safe?

There are different brands of diet pills all claiming to help the user lose significant body fat, lose weight fast and even curb hunger pangs. But how safe and effective are these diet pills?

Popular diet pills like Liporexall is being advertised as a diet pill which delivers impressive results. It is claimed to have aided a person lose body fat to as much as 28.3% of the fat calorie intake, increase weight loss and build lean muscles.

However, persons wanting to lose weight quickly, safely, and affordably must make sure the diet pill is really what it claims to be. They should look for a liporexall review , check its veracity before deciding on the pill. This works for any other pill, as well.

I'm Leaving My Paradise Very Soon

After two years of living in paradise called Hawai'i, on May 31 I will, with a heavy heart, leave my piece of paradise to transfer to the Gold Coast, a.k.a. South Florida.

Banabear and I are now busy packing our things.  Most of our belongings are already in storage somewhere in Miami waiting for our arrival.  These past few days, we've been busy meeting with friends for despedida get togethers.  

I do not know what is in store for me in my new home but I leave everything in His hands.  I entrust everything to God, my Lord and Saviour.  He knows what is best for me.

How Much Memory?

I love taking pictures so that my hubby bought a memory card with large storage capacity for my camera.   Now, I do not have to worry about running out of storage space.  

Memory cards are mainly used with such devises as digital cameras, mobile phones, video game consoles, music players.  Nowadays, most computer and electronic stores carry memory cards with large storage capacity which is very advantageous to the user. 

In Memoriam

These pictures were taken this morning when I went around the Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

On thy grave the rain shall fall
from the eyes of a mighty nation.
- Thomas William Parsons

Lantern Floating Ceremony

Every year on Memorial Day, thousands of people gather at Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu for the Lantern Floating Ceremony. The ceremony remembers those who gave their lives in conflict, allows for reflection on the memories of loved ones and dedicate prayers for a peaceful and harmonious future.

Last night, I witnessed for the first time as more than 2,000 candle-lit lanterns with the names the departed were released onto the waters of Ala Moana Beach and Magic Island.

Remembering the Heroes of America

Memorial Day- a time to remember... a time to say, "thank you" to the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives in the service of their nation.  

Yummy Sunday: Hawaii's Soul Food

Poke

Haleiwa Joe's, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

(fresh ahi in soy-sesame marinade)

World-renowned Island chef Sam Choy calls Poke (pronounced po-keh) as "Hawaii's soul food." Poke which means, "to slice or cut", and usually served as an appetizer, consists of bite-sized pieces of raw, fresh fish mixed with seaweed and kukui nut relish.

Mahalo Nui Loa, Gail and Colleen

Nine days from now, banabear and I will bid Hawai'i goodbye.  I will surely miss Honolulu, my home for the past two years.  One of my happiest memories of Hawai'i were the moments I spent at William Richardson School of Law at Dole St. and Kapiolani Community College at Diamond Head Road and the friendships I've gained during the two semesters I spent in school.

This afternoon, I was treated to a despedida lunch at Kincaid's by my friends, Colleen Henion and Gail Kim-Moe.  Gail and I were classmates in Law 101, Litigation and Legal Doc Preparation while Colleen and I were together in Legal Research.  This semester the three of us became close when we worked together for a mock trial  in our Law 202 class.

Thank you, Gail and Colleen, for making my stay in Hawai'i memorable.

Friendship and Blogger Award

Thank you very much to Minnie_Madz  for giving with me the 2009 Friendship and Best Blogger Award.

I am sharing this award with the following:

• Ebie
• Jacky
• Meryl
• Mel
• Kimmy
• Jonha

Weight Loss Supplements

Losing weight is a challenge especially for people who love to stuff themselves with carb-laden delights.  I know- because I am one of them.  Two years after coming to America, I've gained 24 pounds which I am determined to lose.  I told my husband who also gained weight that we should seriously work on shedding our unwanted pounds.  

Aside from diet and exercise, dietary supplements aid people in losing excess weight.  However, not all weight loss supplements available in the market are effective  and/or reliable.  Some could even be dangerous to one's health.  A person contemplating on taking dietary pills should make sure he is taking the best weight loss supplements.

Photo Hunt: Plastic

One of the perks of my Las Vegas vacation:  Fat Tuesday and Salsa Cantina drinks.

photohunt

Afternoon at Fort DeRussy Park

After an early dinner at an Indian restaurant one afternoon, we strolled around Fort DeRussy at Kalia, Road, Waikiki.  

Fort DeRussy Armed Forces Recreation Center is located  at the west end of Waikiki Beach and is home to the U.S. military's Hale Koa Hotel (the venue of my garden wedding two years ago) and the Hawaii Army Museum.

Be Prepared

There is only one thing constant in life,  and that is change.  A wise man should, therefore, be prepared for changes in his life.   

One way to protect your family from any eventuality is getting a term life insurance.  It is the most inexpensive way of providing for the financial well-being of your family.  It covers your debts, provides for your children until they reach the age of majority and sustains your spouse's standard of living.

There are many insurance companies offering term life insurance.  A person contemplating on getting one  should choose a company which offers the most benefit at the most affordable rate.  A company called Wholesale Insurance can help you compare rates from top insurance companies.  Why not check the term life insurance from wholesale insurance?  As Miguel del Cervantes has said, "Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory."

Monochrome Friday: Lahaina Lighthouse

This old lighthouse in the historic town of Lahaina, Maui, was the first commissioned by King Kamehameha III in 1840 as an aid to navigation for the whaleboats coming ashore for rest and recreation.  It began as a nine foot wooden tower that was increased to 26 feet in 1866.  The light was provided by a whale oil lamp, kept burning by a Hawaiian caretaker who was paid $20 per year.  It was rebuilt in 1905 and the present concrete structure was dedicated by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1916.  Thus, the light was the first in the Hawaiian islands and predates any lighthouse on the U.S. Pacific Coast.

Party for Mom-to-Be

My bestbuddy, Vanessa, is due to give birth with her third baby on the third week of June.  Back home, she and I  would usually work together organizing parties in church and for our families; so it would be a treat to her to be given a surprise baby shower.   I know how she likes theme parties because she usually holds one to celebrate her kids' birthdays.  

I have been browsing online for different baby shower themes and found a lot of unique ideas.  There are themes for baby boys and baby girls, animal themes, unknown gender themes, themes celebrating the mom, and traditional themes.   The nice thing about it is that I can purchase a complete set (decorations, supplies, party favors) at a discounted price.

Thank You, Lord

I have a lot to be thankful for today:

--- a big personal problem was solved.

--- friends who were there to give me moral and spiritual support.

--- I got straight A's  (GPA 4.0) this semester.

My heart says: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever."

Walking in God's Will

We read God's Word and profess that we follow His will,  but we do so willingly when things are going our way.  What about those times when things go rough?  Do we still act as children of God or do we succumb to the things of the world ?

It is not always easy to follow God.  I try hard to be an obedient child but I do not always succeed.  God Himself said that following Him is not easy.  However,  His Word can make a difference in our lives if we allow Him to enter our hearts and our minds.  We may tell our spouses that we love them, but if we keep on doing things that hurt them, then our words are useless.  As they say, "talk is cheap" and "actions speak louder than words".  If we really love a person, we'll do what we can not to hurt them.  Same with the Lord.  If we love Him, we should follow His Word.

If we do not follow God's Word, how can we say we have faith in Him?  How deep is our faith?  The Bible admonishes His children to fill their minds with things that are pure, things that are true, things that are honorable.  However, when one doesn't feel loved by his or her spouse,  is it a valid excuse to think about having extramarital relations?  One-night stand?  Fooling around behind the spouse's back?  

Let us take time to evaluate our lives.  Do our actions reflect the will of the Lord?  If we truly love God, we should try to obey His Word and walk in accordance with His Will.

The Giant Banyan Tree

One of the most visited historic and cultural sites of the town of Lahaina, Maui, is the giant banyan tree at the back of the old courthouse.  The tree stands 60 feet high and casts shade on two-thirds of an acre.  It was planted in April 1873 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant missionary work in Lahaina.

Below are some of the photos I took during my visit to Lahaina.  It is so huge so that it is very difficult for me to take a shot of the whole tree.  The people you see in the pictures are tourists taking a respite from their walking tour around the historic town.