Bitten

I have not been reading the Twilight series, but many of my friends have and are already making plans to see the third movie, Eclipse, which doesn't open until the end of the month.

While chatting about the movie, one of my church-going friends confessed that she just started reading the series and is totally obsessed. It consumes all her free time. She reads so often and so intensely that her young daughter approached her as she was engrossed in reading one of the dark-covered books and asked, "Mama, are those your scriptures?

Not Without a Fight

Living in Berkeley really changed the way I look at food. Books like Food Politics and Omnivore's Dilemma, and movies like Food Inc, and King Corn have influenced me to make changes in the way I cook and eat. It seems that I'm not the only one. The message is getting out and some people are getting mad. Looks like the corn growers are fighting back. Check out this ad that I caught on TV the other day. (After all, I now live in Iowa...)

Frenz 4 Eva*

*"Frenz 4 Eva" - What elementary school kids in Hawaii would write across their folders and homemade, paper-bag textbook covers with pastel-colored markers. This bold declaration was surrounded by their friends' names, dozens of little hearts and often unicorn or foil-star Sandy Lion stickers.

On a recent trip to Chicago I had the chance to visit my good friend, Lori. We went to high school together and kept in touch through college but the last time we saw each other in person was over ten years ago at her wedding. Since then we've exchanged emails and Christmas cards and an occasional phone call, but haven't had the chance to see one another. A few days before our visit, I called Lori to confirm that everything was still on. I dialed her number on my cell phone, but before I pressed the call button, I paused. I couldn't help but think, What if this call is awkward? What if too much time has passed and we've grown too far apart? What if we don't have anything to talk about?!? I couldn't believe how nervous I was...

Only a few minutes into the conversation, however, I was laughing and smiling. I quickly remembered why were such good friends as we talked well over an hour, forcing ourselves to hang up because we'd be seeing each other in a few days.

We spent a beautiful Mother's Day together, enjoying a delicious brunch that she and her husband prepared and watched our little boys romp in the yard together with their dogs. It was a wonderful way to celebrate friendship and motherhood and it was so very hard to leave.

With Lori and Kenji

Hapa Haole Boys: Sean, Kenji, Kyle

WARNING: Cheese Alert!

I think that good friendships are like precious gems. They are rare and often hard to find. They aren't worn as much as the day-to-day jewelry and may even be tucked away in a safe for a few years, but their brilliance doesn't fade. When you pull them out, you find that they shine just as bright as the day you found them and you marvel at their beauty. I'm so grateful for the good friends I've discovered over the years. Thank you for making my life rich.

Déjà who?

A recent conversation with Kyle

Kyle: Have you ever had the feeling that you've done something before? I feel like we've been on this drive before and that I've seen those eagles before, but at the same time, I know this is our first time. It's weird. Do you know what I'm talking about?

Me: Yes, Kyle, I do. There's even a word for it, déjà vu.

Kyle: Oh, cool. So you've felt déjà vu before too?

Me: Yes, Kyle, I have.

2010

2002

There's a glitch in the Matrix!

South For the Winter

One of Kyle's Latest Jokes

For those of you concerned that I had frozen to death here in Iowa, let me quickly reassure you that I'm alive and well.

Early in March, the sub zero weather gave way to a balmy 40 degrees and for the past few weeks the low 60s have been trying to move in, but they have been met with a fight. A mere 50 degrees in March? This island girl is usually be crying at anything below 70, but after a cold, gray Iowa winter, I'll take it!

The sun peeks out now and then and it's been warm enough to melt all the snow. The birds have returned home and have filled the bare trees with singing and new nests. Ahh, Spring is in the air! And with it comes green grass, blue skies, baby animals and... a new job!

That's right, no more Midwest winters for me! In the fall our family will head south, where I will happily spend next winter, and many more after that. We'll be in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where Marc will be teaching at Wake Forest. (My absence from blogging was due to a very hectic interview schedule).

Winston-Salem is about four hours away from the Outer Banks (the beach!) and close to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Our move won't be for a few more months, but I can't wait to find out more and blog about it. Y'all come back now! ;)

Just Dessert

Kyle is the kind of boy who won't take "No" for an answer. When I told him that we didn't have any dessert and that I had no plans to make anything, he took it upon himself. After rummaging through the cupboards and banging around in the kitchen, he proudly served up his concoction. Afterward, deciding that this recipe was worth sharing with others, Kyle wrote it down and made copies to distribute to his teacher and friends at school. We hope you enjoy this original recipe!

I Swear

At the end of 2009, I received an envelope from Kyle's school bus company. In it I was surprised to find a citation for misbehavior on the bus. I was especially surprised to see what was marked:

I couldn't believe it. Profanity!?! I couldn't imagine my Kyle using big-boy bad words. Are we already at that stage of childhood? I was really scared to keep reading. What did he say? And to whom? I began ordering all the swear words in my head from least offensive to most offensive and tried to figure out where Kyle may have landed on the scale. My heart sank as I mourned the inevitable loss of innocence of my seven year old. I was so NOT ready for this stage of parenthood.

I took a deep breath, steeled myself and prepared for the worst as I turned to the section detailing the offense. Here it what it said.

(Warning: this next section contains a remark that is profane and/or offensive)

What?!? "Dumb-Dumb Poopy Head"? Are you serious? I tried so hard not to laugh, especially because Kyle was standing right next to me. It was difficult because I was so relieved and needed an outlet for the all tension I was holding in. I was so happy to read those four words! I wanted to dance around and sing "Dumb-Dumb Poopy head" over and over at the top of my lungs. Instead, I took a few deep breaths and attempted my most serious face for a talk about appropriate language and how our choice of words make others feel.

Later that night, after giggling my way through an explanation to Marc (out of Kyle's earshot) we met as a family and decided to make a New Year's resolution to clean up our language. We instituted a fine jar to help us. As you can see, the words are quite sophisticated:

And since it's inception, not only has the taboo list grown, but there is a lot more silver at the bottom of the jar! Here's to a healthy, happy, and, especially for our family, a clean 2010. Happy New Year!