9/30/09 - September Re-Cap

So, its officially been one month of Joy. Ha ha! It flew by and for the most part I didn't struggle too much with finding something to write about. What I found most interesting is that the vast majority of my posts include either food or a shared experience with a friend or friends. While the fun friend activities don't surprise me, I have to admit I didn't realize that I was so food oriented since I don't consider myself a foodie. I mean, sometimes I just have PBJ for dinner. Another surprise is that I really get a kick when I buy things on sale or get a deal on something I love. Up until this point, I didn't realize how important that seems to be for me. Going into this, I think I really expected to get esoteric and philosophical, but instead I ended up finding joy in smiles, laughter, sugar, and deals. Weird.

Looking forward to the next month, I am a little worried that this experiment is going to get a lot harder. I'm vowing not to repeat my joys, so it looks like I am going to have to branch out a bit. Hope no one gets bored!!

As a re-cap, here is a listing of September's joys:

Joy is breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And snacks.
Joy is "hey, remember that time when we..."
Joy is getting off the rock!
Joy is breaking the ties that bind.
Joy is being fed with meals that come from the heart.
Joy is finding your childhood home in unexpected places.
Joy is being a girl.
Joy is finding the silver and keeping the gold.
Joy is being inspired every Thursday night.
Joy is shared laughter.
Joy is finding love in cups of coffee.
Joy is taking the time to just relax.
Joy is knowing that a little bit of cinnamon and sugar can soothe a hurting heart.
Joy is a little, sporting competition.
Joy is letting nature provide.
Joy is never giving up on your goals!
Joy is still doing what you love, but for a deal.
Joy is having a fridge full of yummy food.
Joy is making something old feel brand-new again.
Joy is a new pair of kicks that look awesome on and cost me next to nothing.
Joy truly is dancing to Prince with your girlfriends on a boat, sipping li-hing margaritas, and enjoying the sunshine and water.
Joy is spending a few hours with Grace's brand-new baby doggie, Fozzie.
Joy is an early morning surf session with Bunny.
Joy is gmail chatting my frustrations away with Sean.
Joy is spending QT with my best friend since high school.
Joy is a Hiroshi Eurasian martini with Lemongrass foam.
Joy has come to mean many things for me and not all of its various forms can be found in the dictionary definition. Sometimes, joy is what shows up only after the pain finally stops.

9/23/09-9/26/09 Joy is Wine Country

Our first full day in wine country consisted of the following:
Breakfast: mimosas!
Lunch: wine tasting!
Dinner: rehersal dinner (so mostly wine again)!

Of course, when you start early, you also end up quite tipsy by the time dinner rolls around. Dinner in this case being ice cream.

And wine and ice cream naturally lead you to the Petaluma Fire station and their nifty pole.

This is from the night of the wedding. Misa and Jaime were my roomies in college. Love them!! You just can't beat the self-portrait cam. :)

Awwww!! These are my girls from back in the day. Don't we look like a fun group? We rolled tight back when we were 19 and I love that we are still rolling tight today. It was SOOOO good to see them and talk about all the trouble we managed to find. Joy is "hey, remember that time when we..."

Some of us live on other islands or in other states and we don't really get the chance to cruise all together, but we still make it happen in order to celebrate each others milestones.

Jobs ---> Careers
Boyfriends ----> Husbands
Young women ----> Mommies

Congrats to Wisa, the new Mrs. Miller!!

9/23/09- Joy is Going Holoholo

Whooo hoooo!! I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again. Ok, so that's not true. I'll be back before I know it...but I am in for bunches of fun. It's going to be a "girlfriend" trip, chock a block with shopping, and spa days and happy hours. YAY!! Plus, we'll be adding a wedding to mix. Another one bites the dust. :P

I certainly won't be blogging daily, so please excuse the hiatus until my return. I'm sure to have great pics and stories to share though. Stay tuned!

Joy is getting off the rock!

9/22/09- Joy is taking the leash off

Understanding what motivates people is usually very hard for me. I think it's because I can't read minds. I believe that people operate from a positive place, that their motives for behavior are well-meaning. Sometimes it seems that I am wrong about this.

Although it took some time and what felt like a major negotiation process, I was able to get a few things returned to me that have been in the hands of another for way too long. The return of these items actually means a lot to me. Not because of their material value or the fact that I use these items daily, but because I no longer have to wonder about and wait for another.

Joy is breaking the ties that bind.

9/21/09- Joy is Home Cookin'

My mom (and dad for that matter) don't live on this island. And my grandparents are on the mainland. So, home cooking doesn't really come my way that often...unless I'm the one that's doing the cooking. That's why Monday night was so special. I felt completely spoiled when I was treated to a wonderful meal at Lea's place. Along with the chicken & mushroom fettuccine, gossip and renewed friendship were also on the menu. Unfortunately, Lea would not consent to being in the photo, other than to point out the salad I contributed. :)

Joy is being fed with meals that come from the heart.

9/20/09- Joy is Neighbor Island Style

Who doesn't love shave ice?!?! We both got the kind with ice cream inside, but Bunny chose strawberry/haupia/li-hing mui topping. I got strawberry/banana colada/li-hing mui topping. So ono!

Hunting for sea glass at Yokohama Bay.

I am on a mission to add to my sea glass collection, so I recruited Bunny to come with me to Yokohama Bay. There is something about the West side that makes me feel like I just went home. Bunny, a fellow Big Island girl, agrees. You just breathe easier out there, and all that tension that hangs out in between your shoulder blades? Well, it melts away somehow. Today was especially fun, since we walked most of the beach looking for treasures, went swimming in the crystal clear waters, and treated ourselves to local style shave ice. And the best part? This is how we used to spend our time as teenagers in Kona on days when there was no surf.

Joy is finding your childhood home in unexpected places.

9/19/09- Joy is Making Pretty

I am a big fan of grooming. This encompasses all the standards: brushing teeth & hair, taking showers daily, keeping the B.O. under wraps. I also take grooming to the next level of pampering: mani/pedis, waxing, facials. I like to do these things. I especially like to do these things with friends.

Saturday was a fantastic day with friends for pretty much this purpose. We were "ladies who lunch" and then go to the nail salon. And then go shoe shopping. And then go to the movies. And then go out to fancy shmancy dinner at a posh French restaurant. It's the kind of day that is exhausting and rejuvenating at the same time.

Joy is being a girl.

9/18/09- Joy is Making New Friends

I was a girl scout forever. One of the core values of girl scouting is friendship and fellowship. At sleep-away camp we would always sing, "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold."

I met my best friend Jaime when I joined Brownies in the second grade. I am happy to report that Jaime and I have been best friends for 23 years now. How time flies!! As important as it is to me to make sure I can malama all my friends, I also really enjoy making new ones and meeting new people. This Friday, I had lunch for the first time with Kayla, a girlfriend of a friend of a friend. While the actual connection isn't that important, I enjoyed meeting her and finding out more about her. Hopefully, we'll have more lunches, dinners, and activities in the future (and they will show up here)!

Joy is finding the silver and keeping the gold.

9/17/09-Joy is "Make it Work!"

I'm not much for TV watching. At the end of my day, I really don't want to see the blood & gore of the who-done-it crime mysteries or the silly, mindless reality show games.

However, I do LOVE Project Runway. I've been watching each season religiously since it first started airing on TV and have actually watched Project Runway: Australia on YouTube to get my fix when needed. I'm not quite sure what it is about the show that has me so hooked. I think it might be that under some time and money constraints, these contestants can pull off amazing and creative outfits/looks. My devotion to this show has caused me some problems...mostly in the spending too much money on clothes arena, but I've also been inspired to break out the sewing machine and use what I already have in the closet.

Anyhow, its too soon in the season to pick my favorite. I am kinda feeling Althea and Christopher and hello!! isn't Logan like the yummiest!

Joy is being inspired every Thursday night.

So remember kids, one day you're in. The next day, you're out.

Auf wiedersehen

9/16/09- Joy is sh*ts and giggles

They say laughter is the best medicine. I say that they are right. Thanks to Malia's social network and savvy ways, us girls were able to attend Pipeline's Wednesday night comedy show for free. While it certainly was not the roll-on-the-floor, laugh-till-you cry experience that was Chris Rock not too long ago, it was a night of giggles, chuckles, eye rolling, and smiles. And, it was a night of fellowship and celebration, since Christy just passed her LCSW exam.

Joy is shared laughter.

9/15/09-Joy is a Cup of Joe

Sorry!! I'm late, I know! I forgot my phone (which is also my camera) at home, so I wasn't able to upload pictures in a timely manner. I'll try to make sure it does not happen again.

Tuesday evening I met Sean out at Glazers and we had the yummy coffee you see above. The bar man delivered our lovely cups of coffee with designs swirled into the foam. Sean's caramel latte came with a heart and my cafe mocha had a fun flower floating at the top. Hearts and flowers seem to be my theme this September. If you haven't yet explored this little shop on South King Street, you must do so. Every table was taken the night we went, and for good reason. The coffee is yummmm, the decor and music are hip and inviting (usually a tough combo to pull off), and the Internet is F-R-E-E. Very conducive to discussing the day, relationships, future plans and evil bosses.

Joy is finding love in cups of coffee.

9/14/09 - Joy is Lunch Recess!!

I was a kid who liked school. I enjoyed learning new things and reading books. In fact, my sister will tell you that I often made her play "school" on the weekends and during our summer break. I would insist on being the teacher and assign her homework. I don't know how she put up with me. :)

All of that in consideration, you know what I miss most about elementary school? Cruising with my friends during recess and lunch break. Those were the best times and I miss them. Being an adult can really suck, since those periodic breaks seem to no longer be necessary or even valued in the corporate world. That's why today was so special. I got to have a nice lunch break with my friend Wisa. We got to talk story, share hopes and dreams, and eat Dole Whip. Best of all, we just hung out and took a break from the day, just like when we were six.

Joy is taking the time to just relax.

9/13/09-Joy is Endulging in Guilty Pleasures

Sometimes all you want to do is veg. So that's pretty much all I did today. Well, that plus eat like a glutton. I love, love, love cinnamon rolls. They are my perfect comfort food.

Today was supposed to be a different kind of day. It was a day that was planned months ago, under different circumstances. But things and people change, and so today was much different than what I imagined it to be.

Joy is knowing that a little bit of cinnamon and sugar can soothe a hurting heart.

9/12/09-Joy is Go Bows!

I went to the UH vs. Stanford game on Saturday night. It was my first UH vollyeball game in a while and it was a good one!! UH shut down Stanford in three matches, but it was by no means, a cake walk. PLUS, I had the added bonus of enjoying the game with Haane, a good friend who I don't get to see that often. Yay for garlic fries, green shirts, and warrior pride. Joy is a little, sporting competition.

9/11/09 - Joy is being in Nature

Strawberry guavas from the trail. Yummy.

Friday after work I went for a sunset surf session with Cory at Tong's. It was the perfect way to end the week with super fun, head-high waves. I got one of my best waves in a while, a stand-up overhead right that I totally got to carve the entire way down. Made my entire day...but sorry guys, no pics.


Saturday morning I went for a hike with Moka, Grace, and Jason to the back of Kalihi Valley. The Kamanaiki trail was ridge hike that ran parallel to the Likelike. It was a nice hike, slightly overcast and although it was incline/decline type of trail, we had the added bonus of yummy strawberry guavas almost the entire way. Joy is letting nature provide.

I love that within a 24-hour span I spent my free time in the ocean and the mountains. It was truly a weekend of mana.

9/10/09- Joy is Taking the Bull by it's Horns

A few months before I turned 30, I made a list of 30 things/experiences that I wanted to do/accomplish prior to that milestone birthday. My friends and I called our lists the "30 before 30." Due to circumstances out of my control, I wasn't able to knock off all 30 things/experiences, one of which was to ride a mechanical bull. At that time, Hawaii had NO mechanical bull on any of the 8 islands and the closest one was in San Jose, California. Needless to say, I wasn't able to justify a trip to Cali just to ride the bull. So my birthday came and went and I wasn't able to say I'd conquered the beast.

Until last night! Thanks to some ingenious party promoters, a new event has started up at Honolulu's Level 4 nightclub. Called Babes, Bulls and Barrels, the event features a mechanical bull in the middle of a huge stage that provides a good view of the riding from everywhere in the club. Once I found out about it, I convinced a few of my friends to come with me to witness my ride. Although we stayed up way past curfew on school night, we had tons of fun and I am happy to report that almost everyone gave in to peer pressure and got up on the bull.


So far, my major souvenirs of the evening are rope-burned knuckles and bruised inner thighs.

It feels really good to have accomplished this task I set for myself almost a year ago, even if I didn't get it done within my time frame. Joy is never giving up on your goals!

9/9/09- Joy is Namaste

I love yoga!!!! But, with the economy in the toilet and my own salary subject to union contract negotiations, paying $15 a class wasn't cutting it. So, I found a class at the UH leisure center that brought the cost down to $4. Joy is still doing what you love, but for a deal.

Last night was the first class of the series and I was so pleased with the location and the instructor. I really believe that the instructor is the make or break element of a yoga class (or any class for that matter.) She sets the tone, feeling, pacing and warmth. Our instructor has good, healing energy. ;)

Although I'm sore today, I'm looking forward to the next class on Monday. Bunny, Tammy and I are planning on Yogurtland afterwards as a reward.

Namaste~

PS/ Sorry about the generic pic, but I wasn't comfortable taking pictures in yoga class. This is what my mat looks like though.

9/8/09 - Joy is Ono Grinz

Joy is having a fridge full of yummy food. Too many people all across the world aren't able to have this same luxury. I promise not to waste any of it.

9/7/09 - Joy is a "New" Board

Cute yeah, it's me!

Okay, so maybe she isn't brand new, but what girl doesn't feel like a new woman when she gets a new dress? Joy is making something old feel brand-new again.

After an ugly altercation last June that resulted in a nose job and some body work, I felt that the old girl needed a pick me up. Kimi to the rescue!! With a few Posca pens and a directive from me to make her "girly," Kimi created the designs you see posted here. I am now the very proud owner of the first Kimi decorated surfboard in the world! Kimi is a modern-day superwoman: she's a nationally ranked free diver, prolific and successful painter, awesome cook and all-around talented woman. Check out her paintings and other artwork at: kimiwernerart.com

9/6/09- Joy is an AMAZING Deal

Joy is a new pair of kicks that look awesome on and cost me next to nothing. Thanks to a savvy shopping expedition at Macys' shoe clearance rack, I got these for $22!! Original price? $70

9/5/09-Joy is Sandbar Saturday

What's not to love about a Saturday at the Sandbar? Especially, if you're celebrating a birthday!! Joy truly is dancing to Prince with your girlfriends on a boat, sipping li-hing margaritas, and enjoying the sunshine and water. I'm so blessed to live in paradise!

9/4/09- Joy is Man's Best Friend

Joy is spending a few hours with Grace's brand-new baby doggie, Fozzie. He's the cutest thing! He likes nibbling on toes, hopping across the linoleum, burrowing into pillows and peeing on the carpet. His little tail wags like crazy and when he get's scolded by Grace, he hides behind the toilet. But the best thing of all? He loves me at first sight.

9/3/09- Joy is Toes on the Nose

Joy is an early morning surf session with Bunny.

PS/ Joy is also having an impromptu day off, since today's jury duty was pau by 9:30am!!

9/2/09 - Joy is LOL and OMG

Joy is gmail chatting my frustrations away with Sean.

9/1/09 - Joy is 4mi with the BFF

Joy is spending QT with my best friend since high school. Kaliko and I make it a point to walk around Ala Moana Beach park & Magic Island at least once a week. We spend the two hours catching up on the week's events and each others lives, solving family and work problems, and discussing which new movie or concert we are going to next. I love her.

8/31/09 - Joy Happens in 2 Hours

Joy is a Hiroshi Eurasian martini with Lemongrass foam. Yummmmm. And a laughter-filled heart-to-heart with Leslie.