Thursday, 1 September 2005
Why didn't I ever teach half-time before? Yesterday, at our staff meeting (which I came to on my off-time, mind you it's at 2:15 pm), the first year teachers were yawning and could barely keep their eyes open. I feel a little guilty, but not really. Working until noon, then eating a FULL lunch (and then some) with my dad, and then spending the afternoon with my dad, my uncle, and sometimes my brother, watching a movie, running errands, going to the beach, doing a little schoolwork, watching Oprah.....all before dinner time. Then going to Bikram yoga and having the whole entire evening for myself....Imagine that! For a teacher, that's pretty good! (Of course, I haven't actually started teaching kids yet, so ask me in about a month, and I might react differently.) It's not such a bad deal. I even get full benefits so I can finally go to the doctor and figure out what parasites I got from Thailand and finally get some more contacts for my poor eyes that have been relying on my one-month disposables for four months now. In fact, teaching half-time IS ideal. Why didn't I ever think of this before?
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
A Dip in the Pool
Wednesday, 31 August 2005
After work, I went to Dad's, and Uncle Gary came by to bring us all lunch. We enjoyed some spicy Thai food, then I went back to Kahala for staff meetings. My dad called to say they were going to the pool, so after my meetings, I went to Palolo pool, which is in my dad's neighborhood. I was so shocked to see my dad in the pool with my brother! The pool staff used a hydraulic lift chair, and all my brother had to do was transfer my dad from the wheelchair to the chair. The chair then lowers my dad into the shallow end of the pool. With Jay's help and a lifejacket, Dad was able to walk backwards to about 4 1/2 feet. It was good for my dad to get out in the cool water, and he felt good too. They have been talking about doing this for months, but this is the first time my dad actually took the plunge. Jay says we should take him everyday during this free swim from 3 - 5 pm, now that we know pools have this lift. Next time, he wants to see if Dad can get deeper, so he can straighten out his legs. And, what's nice about this pool is you can see our house on the side of the mountain!
Brought Dad home and showered him off. They're still having the bathroom tile fixed since they had it remodeled this month. So, we've had to give my dad showers in the driveway with the hose. Well, at least it's warm out! Nothing like shooting your father off with a hose!
After work, I went to Dad's, and Uncle Gary came by to bring us all lunch. We enjoyed some spicy Thai food, then I went back to Kahala for staff meetings. My dad called to say they were going to the pool, so after my meetings, I went to Palolo pool, which is in my dad's neighborhood. I was so shocked to see my dad in the pool with my brother! The pool staff used a hydraulic lift chair, and all my brother had to do was transfer my dad from the wheelchair to the chair. The chair then lowers my dad into the shallow end of the pool. With Jay's help and a lifejacket, Dad was able to walk backwards to about 4 1/2 feet. It was good for my dad to get out in the cool water, and he felt good too. They have been talking about doing this for months, but this is the first time my dad actually took the plunge. Jay says we should take him everyday during this free swim from 3 - 5 pm, now that we know pools have this lift. Next time, he wants to see if Dad can get deeper, so he can straighten out his legs. And, what's nice about this pool is you can see our house on the side of the mountain!
Brought Dad home and showered him off. They're still having the bathroom tile fixed since they had it remodeled this month. So, we've had to give my dad showers in the driveway with the hose. Well, at least it's warm out! Nothing like shooting your father off with a hose!
Monday, August 29, 2005
The Many Uses of Chopsticks
Tuesday, 30 August 2005
After work today, Jay took me, Dad, and Uncle Jimmy to eat dim sum at Happy Day near our house. We gorged on Chinese dumplings. As we were sitting there waiting to digest our food, my brother proceeds to tell someone (since the person does not want to be identified, no names will be used) that he has a booger up his nose. Since the person is unable to get the object out of the crevice himself, my brother proceeds to use his dirty wooden chopstick (but he wipes the pepper off of the end first) to dig for gold in the aforementioned's nostril. Mind you, we are still sitting in the middle of a Chinese restaurant. The rest of us are just cracking up, and a little bit disgusted by the whole incident, but hey, you do what you gotta do. And, just as the object is relinquished, I see the waiter staring in our direction. I suppose it's not everyday that you see someone sticking a chopstick up someone else's nose. I mentioned this to my brother, but he retorted by saying that the waiter has had his own finger up his nose the whole time. And, whaddya know?? I look over again, and he was right. (Again, let me remind you that we are still sitting in the middle of a Chinese restaurant.)
The moral of the story: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again....And chopsticks might help. (Sorry Dad, but it's just too funny!)
After work today, Jay took me, Dad, and Uncle Jimmy to eat dim sum at Happy Day near our house. We gorged on Chinese dumplings. As we were sitting there waiting to digest our food, my brother proceeds to tell someone (since the person does not want to be identified, no names will be used) that he has a booger up his nose. Since the person is unable to get the object out of the crevice himself, my brother proceeds to use his dirty wooden chopstick (but he wipes the pepper off of the end first) to dig for gold in the aforementioned's nostril. Mind you, we are still sitting in the middle of a Chinese restaurant. The rest of us are just cracking up, and a little bit disgusted by the whole incident, but hey, you do what you gotta do. And, just as the object is relinquished, I see the waiter staring in our direction. I suppose it's not everyday that you see someone sticking a chopstick up someone else's nose. I mentioned this to my brother, but he retorted by saying that the waiter has had his own finger up his nose the whole time. And, whaddya know?? I look over again, and he was right. (Again, let me remind you that we are still sitting in the middle of a Chinese restaurant.)
The moral of the story: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again....And chopsticks might help. (Sorry Dad, but it's just too funny!)
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Baseball, Rollerblading, and Greek Festival
Sunday, 28 August 2005
Must've been the two margaritas last night that made me sleep in this morning. Watched the Ewa Beach little league team win the world championships, beating Curacao from three runs behind with a homerun in the bottom of the 7th. Very exciting....and of course for Hawai'i, it's gonna be headline news for weeks!
Went to Ala Moana beach, but the weather was a bit overcast for sunbathing, so I went rollerblading around the park instead. I stopped by the Greek Festival going on in the McCoy Pavilion. Listened to some music, looked at some jewelry, and then got some baklava and gyros to take home for me and my hungry brother. Stayed in and relaxed the rest of the evening.
Must've been the two margaritas last night that made me sleep in this morning. Watched the Ewa Beach little league team win the world championships, beating Curacao from three runs behind with a homerun in the bottom of the 7th. Very exciting....and of course for Hawai'i, it's gonna be headline news for weeks!
Went to Ala Moana beach, but the weather was a bit overcast for sunbathing, so I went rollerblading around the park instead. I stopped by the Greek Festival going on in the McCoy Pavilion. Listened to some music, looked at some jewelry, and then got some baklava and gyros to take home for me and my hungry brother. Stayed in and relaxed the rest of the evening.
A Baby Lu'au
Saturday, 27 August 2005
Went to 10 am yoga (since I was too lazy to get up and drink enough water for the 8 am yoga). Met Miya and Junji for lunch. They treated me to mexican food, delicious fish tacos, from this new place across the street from her in-laws. Hung out and talked to Junji's mom about their upcoming move to Japan for a few years. In the late afternoon, I headed to Sandy's (my step-aunt's) for her grandson Kai's first year baby lu'au. As is tradition for first year birthdays here in Hawai'i, a lu'au must have lots and lots of food. Mmmmmm....(I'll try not to make your mouth water Steph!) Gotta love all the Hawaiian food: chicken long rice, lomi lomi salmon, poke, squid lu'au, kalua pig, sesame chicken, tripe stew, taro, raw crab, haupia, and pineapple cake. After stuffing myself and listening to awesome live entertainment (my step-uncle produces Hawaiian music in his recording studio at home, and thus has many entertainer friends, which means steel drums, slack key guitar, and even a fiddle, with my step-cousins dancing hula and other kupuna showing off their dance moves throughout the evening.), I drove my Uncle Jimmy home. Hawaiians always find a reason to party....with lots of food and music....I absolutely love it!!
Went to 10 am yoga (since I was too lazy to get up and drink enough water for the 8 am yoga). Met Miya and Junji for lunch. They treated me to mexican food, delicious fish tacos, from this new place across the street from her in-laws. Hung out and talked to Junji's mom about their upcoming move to Japan for a few years. In the late afternoon, I headed to Sandy's (my step-aunt's) for her grandson Kai's first year baby lu'au. As is tradition for first year birthdays here in Hawai'i, a lu'au must have lots and lots of food. Mmmmmm....(I'll try not to make your mouth water Steph!) Gotta love all the Hawaiian food: chicken long rice, lomi lomi salmon, poke, squid lu'au, kalua pig, sesame chicken, tripe stew, taro, raw crab, haupia, and pineapple cake. After stuffing myself and listening to awesome live entertainment (my step-uncle produces Hawaiian music in his recording studio at home, and thus has many entertainer friends, which means steel drums, slack key guitar, and even a fiddle, with my step-cousins dancing hula and other kupuna showing off their dance moves throughout the evening.), I drove my Uncle Jimmy home. Hawaiians always find a reason to party....with lots of food and music....I absolutely love it!!
Friday, August 26, 2005
Art After Dark
Friday, 26 August 2005
Finished setting up the testing schedule for next week, and arranged for Ms. Sahara (last year's ESL teacher) to come and sub for me a couple days I have to be gone for district trainings. The ESL director came and explained testing to me. It was very helpful. I stayed later than my "half-time" day today, as there was a 1 pm Welcome Assembly. All the new students and teachers got leis and were recognized on stage. Ms. Ikehara gave me my lei and mentioned the fact that I was her former student (as a 5th grader)...Very cute.
Went to Uncle Gary's to watch the UH women's volleyball game on cable with Dad and Uncle Jimmy (Jay had to carry my dad down ten steps to my uncle's house by bear hugging him, bearing all of his weight.). Afterwards, I got ready and picked up Linh for our night out on the town.
The last Friday of each month, the Honolulu Academy of Arts has an event for young professionals called "Art After Dark." It involves food, live music, beer, wine, and of course, art. You can choose to dance, drink, eat, socialize, browse through the art galleries, or just browse through the pretty people. Last month was "Jazz and Latin Night", but tonight was "Havana Nights", which meant mambo lessons on the dance floor and mexican food. I ran into some of Jay's friends (and recent ex-girlfriend), and had fun talking about traveling and looking at the Southeast Asian exhibits with Linh's friends. Each time I go, I see more new galleries, which makes me just want to travel and paint the sky some more.
We headed to Indigo's, a trendy popular bar downtown, afterwards where I people watched and engaged in fun conversations. It was a good night.
Finished setting up the testing schedule for next week, and arranged for Ms. Sahara (last year's ESL teacher) to come and sub for me a couple days I have to be gone for district trainings. The ESL director came and explained testing to me. It was very helpful. I stayed later than my "half-time" day today, as there was a 1 pm Welcome Assembly. All the new students and teachers got leis and were recognized on stage. Ms. Ikehara gave me my lei and mentioned the fact that I was her former student (as a 5th grader)...Very cute.
Went to Uncle Gary's to watch the UH women's volleyball game on cable with Dad and Uncle Jimmy (Jay had to carry my dad down ten steps to my uncle's house by bear hugging him, bearing all of his weight.). Afterwards, I got ready and picked up Linh for our night out on the town.
The last Friday of each month, the Honolulu Academy of Arts has an event for young professionals called "Art After Dark." It involves food, live music, beer, wine, and of course, art. You can choose to dance, drink, eat, socialize, browse through the art galleries, or just browse through the pretty people. Last month was "Jazz and Latin Night", but tonight was "Havana Nights", which meant mambo lessons on the dance floor and mexican food. I ran into some of Jay's friends (and recent ex-girlfriend), and had fun talking about traveling and looking at the Southeast Asian exhibits with Linh's friends. Each time I go, I see more new galleries, which makes me just want to travel and paint the sky some more.
We headed to Indigo's, a trendy popular bar downtown, afterwards where I people watched and engaged in fun conversations. It was a good night.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
It's About Time...A Local Column by Ruth Wong
The following is a column printed in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin last week. It hit home, and I thought I'd share it with you...
Appreciate life while still living it
The big news story on the day I write this column is the death of television anchorman Peter Jennings. Although he publicly shared his diagnosis of lung cancer in April, the news of his death still brings shock and sadness.
I wonder if, as in the case of so many cancer victims, Jennings really began to live after receiving the diagnosis. Isn't that often the case -- that we don't really appreciate something until we're faced with the possibility of losing it?
This was the case with Steven Bishop of Denver, Colo., whose story appeared in Parade magazine a few years ago. In his early 30s, Steven and his wife and infant son were living the American dream, complete with a successful career, luxurious home and Mercedes in the garage.
Then in 1998, Bishop was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a degenerative disease of the neuromuscular system for which there is no cure. Life expectancy is typically two to five years.
Bishop's new question became, "What's the most meaningful way I can spend whatever time I have left?"
The Bishops established an ALS support group, became spokespersons for the disease, and as Steven's wife, Jennifer, says, "spent more time with family and friends than many people do in a lifetime."
Bishop himself says that like Lou Gehrig, he feels he is the luckiest guy in the world; for he's been given a chance to truly appreciate his life while still living it.
Unfortunately, if we're not careful, it's all too easy for our lives to degenerate into little more than a day-to-day existence. We tolerate or are even unaware of the lack of purpose and fulfillment, two vital factors that make life meaningful and worthwhile.
How about you? Are you really living and appreciating each and every new day? And spending your time wisely and well?
I encourage you to ask yourself the same question Steven Bishop asked himself, "What is the most meaningful way I can spend the time I have left?"
Then rearrange your priorities accordingly. This may involve eliminating unsatisfying activities, investing more time in meaningful relationships, taking stock of where you really want to go, and what you really want to do and be.
Let's enjoy and appreciate our lives while we're still living it. It will be time well spent! See you in two weeks.
"It's About Time," by Ruth Wong, owner of Organization Plus, runs the fourth Friday of each month. Contact her at "It's About Time," care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail features@starbulletin.com
Appreciate life while still living it
The big news story on the day I write this column is the death of television anchorman Peter Jennings. Although he publicly shared his diagnosis of lung cancer in April, the news of his death still brings shock and sadness.
I wonder if, as in the case of so many cancer victims, Jennings really began to live after receiving the diagnosis. Isn't that often the case -- that we don't really appreciate something until we're faced with the possibility of losing it?
This was the case with Steven Bishop of Denver, Colo., whose story appeared in Parade magazine a few years ago. In his early 30s, Steven and his wife and infant son were living the American dream, complete with a successful career, luxurious home and Mercedes in the garage.
Then in 1998, Bishop was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a degenerative disease of the neuromuscular system for which there is no cure. Life expectancy is typically two to five years.
Bishop's new question became, "What's the most meaningful way I can spend whatever time I have left?"
The Bishops established an ALS support group, became spokespersons for the disease, and as Steven's wife, Jennifer, says, "spent more time with family and friends than many people do in a lifetime."
Bishop himself says that like Lou Gehrig, he feels he is the luckiest guy in the world; for he's been given a chance to truly appreciate his life while still living it.
Unfortunately, if we're not careful, it's all too easy for our lives to degenerate into little more than a day-to-day existence. We tolerate or are even unaware of the lack of purpose and fulfillment, two vital factors that make life meaningful and worthwhile.
How about you? Are you really living and appreciating each and every new day? And spending your time wisely and well?
I encourage you to ask yourself the same question Steven Bishop asked himself, "What is the most meaningful way I can spend the time I have left?"
Then rearrange your priorities accordingly. This may involve eliminating unsatisfying activities, investing more time in meaningful relationships, taking stock of where you really want to go, and what you really want to do and be.
Let's enjoy and appreciate our lives while we're still living it. It will be time well spent! See you in two weeks.
"It's About Time," by Ruth Wong, owner of Organization Plus, runs the fourth Friday of each month. Contact her at "It's About Time," care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail features@starbulletin.com
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