11/30/09 - Joy is the Christmas Spirit

So, the Christmas bug has bit me early this year. Last night I got out my fakey Christmas tree and set it up on the desk. It's so cute and I love how it brightens my mood. Even if I am sitting at my laptop doing work, I feel happy. Which, by the way, is unusual.

I've also started to hang up the Christmas cards I've gotten in the mail so far and am making plans for a Christmas wreath for the door of my apartment.

I'm also totally excited about the holiday flavors at Starbucks. Yes, they have been around for a while, but I told myself to hold off on ordering them until after Thanksgiving. My favorite flavor is peppermint mocha. YUMMY!! Also, did you notice that the holiday cups have JOY on them. Seriously, how perfect can you get?

I've also changed all the ringtone and text message alerts on my phone to Xmas carols. So far I've loaded up Santa Baby and All I Want for Christmas. Thinking about maybe jazzing it up even more and giving special ringtones to "special" people. I'm thinking Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer for the family this year.

11/27/09 - Joy is Thanksgiving

The Friday after Thanksgiving, Gina and I decided to forgo the Black Friday deals and watch the Triple Crown instead. Better alternative? I think so.

The waves were just about as big that day. Got to see the initial heats for the men and the semis for ladies. Also got spotted quite a few times ourselves. Those video camera guys are EVERYWHERE.

Later that afternoon, Gina wanted to take the Jeep off-roading so we went down to Ka'ena Point. It was my first time there. I'm happy to report that we didnt get the Jeep stuck in the mud!

So, here's a "where's Waldo" moment. Can you find the monk seals?

There they are!!

All in all, a well spent, super fun Friday. Easily the highlight of the weekend!!

11/22/09 - Joy is a Girly Weekend

The line to get in to New Moon. 500 ladies in one movie theater.

Chessa: Team Jacob
Wisa: Team Edward

So after a fun Saturday morning at Bri's baby shower, a bunch of us girls went to Fashionista Market's showing of New Moon. We pre-partied at Pearl, complete with goodie bags, drink specials and cute male models. Then we went off to the movie theater, endured the line, and finally (after some strategic seat saving) got to see the main show. Hello brown boys!!!! Let me just say that for a grown woman, there was a lot of giggling coming from my seat. Joy is being a voyeur.

Sunday morning I joined Malia for brunch at our usual spot, Cafe Kaila. We are getting pretty close to being regulars now. All the guys in the joint greet us now, bring us coffee right off the bat and know what we like to eat.

After breakfast, I was off on the Makapuu lighthouse hike with Kylie, Brit, and Erin. Above is the view from the top. We then spent the rest of the afternoon body surfing at Makapuu and enjoying the beautiful day.

Kylie and Erin.

Tonight's project: cheetah shoelaces for my Chuck Taylors.

Min's 30th birthday is right around the corner and the theme for her party is "kicks." Since my Chuck Taylors seemed like a dud (just the normal black and white), I wanted to make them more party ready without investing heavily or buying a new pair. I figured some racy shoelaces were in order. Unfortunately, there is a real void in the shoelace market here in Hawaii. Nobody had any cool ones for sale, so I was left to my own devices. Enter my unique, one-of-a-kind, cheetah laces. They are my new favorite accessory. Joy is seeing a vision to fruition. Even if it is just a small one.

11/17/09 - Joy is Twilight Mania

Hello Handsome!

Bunny and Edward, a match made in heaven.

It's okay. He's young. He'll get taller.

Yesterday, Bunny, Erin, and I went to pick up our team shirts and exclusive passes to this weekend's showing of New Moon. While I am well aware of the fact that I am sliding back into my adolescence with the Twilight series, I just can't help being excited for the movie. In case it isn't that obvious, I am clearly on TEAM JACOB. I mean, what is not to love about brown boys who change into werewolves? Hello, that is a slam dunk for me!

Joy is going ga-ga over fictional characters and not caring what other people think. :)

11/12/09 - Joyful Girl

A few days ago I got into a discussion about music with a friend of mine. I love music, and I love hearing new stuff. Our conversation was about what constitutes a love song. He is of the belief that there really aren't many love songs out there. For him, the main criteria is that a song take you to that "love" place. If a song cannot transform you for those precious three-minutes or so, then it cannot be a love song. Given that understanding, he had me listen to Joyful Girl by Soulive while I was on the back of his bike. I gotta say, it was a pretty surreal experience. It made me re-think jazz all over again. Take a listen, if you have the time.

Joy is learning about life through another's ears.

11/12/09 - Joy is taking a break

Hello readers,

So, I took a little break from the blog. Life is busy, fun-filled, exciting and speeding by me. I know when I go silent people become concerned about my health or start wondering about my love life. Don't worry, nothings changed. I'm just busy.

I've also been wondering if the blog is something I should continue. I started this blog for me, and have continued to write it for me. However, somewhere along the way I've managed to hurt and possibly offend others. Getting that kind of feedback was unexpected...I'm learning that those things I view as benign and/or off-the-cuff can be taken quite literally and/or personally by others. I don't want to have to edit who I am, that was not the purpose of this project. But perhaps now, it will be the unintended consequence, since I do not want to be the cause of another's hurt feelings or pain. I'm truly sorry to those of you that have felt hurt by my words and I'm thankful that we have the kind of bond that you feel comfortable coming to me with your perspective.

All I can say is that I'm trying.

11/3/09 - Joy is Hot Fudge

So, technically I'm not on a diet. At least, I'm not on a diet to lose weight. I have, however, noticed how much sugar I've been consuming and am on the mission to cut out as much as I can. It wrecks havoc with my complexion, and since I am being photographed so much these days, I'm trying to keep that as under control as possible. But I have to tell you, I really, really miss ice cream.

Anyway, after walking with Piko and having a health dinner of fish, tofu and salad, Willie joins us. He's also had a great workout, and wants to reward himself with Menchies! Immediately upon hearing that blessed name, I want Menchies too. I can just imagine it. I tell myself, "hey I'll just get a little bit. Just you know, for taste." After that word and philosophy being repeated to myself a few times, I just couldn't say no. So, off the wagon I went! But you know what? If I was gonna cheat, might as well be this way. With cake batter, irish cream, and cappuccino yogurt topped with hot fudge, red velvet cake and a brownie. yummmmm. Tomorrow is another day.

Joy is cheating....sometimes.

11/2/09 - Joy is a Light Bulb Moment

You ever find yourself going through the motions at work, doing something routinely just so that the pile of papers on your desk will marginally decrease? That was me on Monday. Just trying to push through the work of grading papers....well, until I had my light-bulb moment. After having worked most the day and realizing I was barely making a dent and that I would be facing a night of more research paper grading, I had an epiphany. What I was doing just made no sense! The students would just be turning in another draft as I passed back the last one. So, I stopped. Man, that felt SO GOOD. I figured out justification for that decision, and just let the stress roll off my shoulders. aaaahhhhh

Joy is working smarter, not harder.

11/1/09 - Joy is Making Willie be the Third Wheel

This is It!

The Odd Couple: Willie and Kaliko

Ok, truthfully, they aren't the odd couple. They are so adorable, you kinda want to just roll your eyes non-stop. I love hanging out with these guys. Today's adventure was a girls-only lunch (Willie was forced to sit in the bar and watch football, ha ha) followed by a matinee showing of "This is It." The best part, however, was not the activities of the day but being a direct observer of the little marital-like spats that happen between Piko and Willie. He loves pushing her buttons and for someone who is usually unruffled, she rose to his bait each and every time. While this may not sound like the stuff of love, that's exactly what it was. Aww so cute! I have to admit, I got my jabs in too. I had to make sure Willie understood that it wasn't me who showed up to today's activities without a date, it was him. He was the third wheel!

Joy is a loving squabble.

10/30-10/31/09 Joy is Halloween

Art After Dark with Kim the Pirate, Amazing Grace and Laura Croft: Tomb Raider

Costume surfing at Queens! Kimi the Snowboarder and Wonder Woman.

Block party in Chinatown. I went as Charlotte from "Charlotte's Web."

Halloween pretty much rates right up there in terms of holidays for me. My personal triad is: St. Paddy's Day, New Years and Halloween. I mean, who doesn't love an excuse to dress up and be someone else for a change? As you can see, this year I had three different opportunities to live out alternative persona's and really just return to childhood for a bit. Of all my costumes, I think Wonder Woman was the most fun this year. You just can't beat riding waves with a cape on!

Joy is being someone you're not (just for the day).