RWA: Readers with Attitude

With our recent move, I've been unable to blog and now that I'm finding some free time here and there, I'm feeling overwhelmed with the backlog of things to blog about! So I'm going to try to stick to short posts and post more often until I'm caught up. Let's see how it goes...

We weren't in Iowa City for long but while we were there we feel in love with the public library.

I know, you're thinking, "a library?!?" I thought the same thing. People told us how great it was when we first got to Iowa, but I didn't believe them. But this library is unlike any public library I've seen before. I can't even begin to adequately describe their selection of books, cds, dvds, video games, children's toys, preschool kits, etc. which were all FREE to check out, AND in really good condition. Marc and I were able to watch Japanese and Korean films that most video stores don't even carry, and Kyle couldn't get enough of their collection of kids graphic novels. And the programs! Every year they have a "Big Read," where the entire community is invited to read the same book (this year it was Fahrenheit 451) and the library gives everyone a free copy of the book and hosts discussion groups and guest speakers. The children's programs were the best I've attended and include music, storytime, arts & crafts, and puppet shows, to name a few, and are even broadcast on a local public TV channel for comfortable viewing from home. (This comes in very handy when it is 10 below outside and you don't dare leave the house.)

When the boys finished their summer reading challenges, in addition to a free, new book and other prizes, they got these cool (and slightly intimidating) tattoos:

Readaz with attitude!

I'm glad that the tattoos (and the attitudes) were temporary, but I can honestly say that I wish our time in Iowa City was not. We already miss the friends we made there and the places around town that made it feel like home. I don't know if we'll ever get back, but if not, we'll always have the library...

Just Peachy!

Sean spent most of his first birthday in the car, but good natured as he is, he didn't seem to mind. He sang along to Raffi, took in the sights, and even got a taste of his first peach.

Hmm...what is this? It tastes nice and sweet.

And maybe a little tart...I like it!

Of course we made it up to him with a REAL birthday party, once we got to Utah.

(As you can see, he's got that nose scrunch down pat.)

I can't believe how quickly this year has passed.

(June 2009)

(June 2010)

Happy Birthday, little Sean! We're so glad that you are a part of our family.

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! ;)