Graduation Banquet

Erin and Aaron-she's an English major and we're in the same ward

Rob is done with school in April of 2009. However, he walks in December because they only have graduation here in Dec. and June. So last Thursday they had the graduation banquet for the English majors graduating this June or Dec. It seemed so early but what can you do? They served us a nice Hawaiian meal: Kalua pork, rice, chicken long rice, pipi kaula, cabbage and vegetables, pineapple, rolls, and coconut cake. It was a nice dinner to celebrate his hard work.

Spa Night

Last night our relief society had a mini spa boot camp. We split into 3 groups and rotated between hand massage techniques, homemade facials, and beauty tips. Then we had healthy, homemade fruit smoothies. Leah organized it and did great as usual. She gave us many ideas for facials and we got to try one. The recipe we tried is 1 Tbsp plain yogurt, 1 tsp honey, and for oily skin add 1 or 2 drops of lime juice. You rub it on and let it sit for 10 min. It was surprisingly very cooling and refreshing. Afterwards we wiped it off with hot towels. My skin feels so smooth and soft! Angie taught us how to give hand massages and it felt great. Now I have to teach Rob! Erin taught us useful beauty and makeup tips.
It was a fun night and now I can recreate the spa experience at home!

Relay for Life

This past Friday Rob and I were able to walk for Relay for Life. We were able to learn alot about lung, breast, and colon cancer. They had fake breasts for you to practice feeling for lumps and the scary thing is I could hardly feel them. We bought luminaries to dedicate to our family members who have or had cancer. Rob knew 1. I knew 5.

It made me really think about my risk of getting cancer one day, or even my mom. So far my grandpa has died of lung cancer in '92-never smoked, my Aunt Sherri died of breast cancer in 2003, my Uncle Doug just died last November from lung cancer-never smoked, my grandma survived breast cancer, and now my Aunt Linda is fighting brain cancer. All of these are on my mom's side of the family and 3 I'm blood-related to. Also, my friend Stephanie's dad Steve has had lung cancer for a few years. Rob fortunately doesn't have a history of relatives who have cancer, however his Grandpa Potts died of emphysema when Rob was 10 yrs old.

Laie's small Relay for Life was able to raise around $12,000. If you get a chance to walk in one, do it! It's free to walk and sponsors donate money for each person that walks. It can even double as date night and exercise.

With Ogi and President and Sister Wheelwright. She is a cancer survivor.

Sugar

Rob and I started a workout routine called P90x 3 1/2 weeks ago. For the first 3 weeks you are supposed to stay away from sugar completely (except natural sugars in fruits, etc). The first week was really hard for me and I ate sweets twice (Wed and Sun). The 2nd week-none, 3rd week-none except on accident.

On Thursday of the 3rd week (last week) we had ward temple night. Afterwards we always eat refreshments. Can I tell you how bad I wanted to eat the whole bag of chocolate chip cookies and down the 2-liter of root beer? Even the ginger ale, which I don't like, looked tempting. I sat with the sweets in front of me the whole time and my body was telling me, "YES!" but I resisted. That is the most will power I have ever had when it comes to food and I was so proud of myself.

Well on Friday in my student's food prep class, the teacher offered some cookies to everyone and without even thinking I grabbed one and ate it. I was thinking how good it tasted and how it was melting in my mouth when I remembered I wasn't supposed to eat sugar! It was too late so I felt guilty the rest of the day. I went until Sunday without eating any more so I had to celebrate. I made my first cheesecake and it tastes so good!


I'm not going full on with sugar like I used to. I've only eaten 1 tiny piece of cheesecake a day. I don't want to have all my hard work of exercising and eating right go to waste.

Things I miss:



Let's see how long I can resist!

Surprise Weekend

Rob has had quite the stressful school year and I wanted to help him relax and reward him for his hard work. For 2 weeks I secretly planned and organized our weekend getaway. Last Saturday morning I made him leave the house early and go eat breakfast at McDonald's so I could finish packing. We then traveled down to Aiea/Pearlridge Mall area and got one hour MASSAGES for a good price!

We ate lunch at Panda Express then headed to the highlight of the day: The Marriott Ko'olina Beach Club Resort. I had never been to a resort and it was beautiful! They treat you like royalty and now we know why the tourists think all Hawaiians are so friendly. Our room was beautiful and had a KING size bed. We sleep on a full. The room was so comfy and nice.

We swam and played in the lagoon then got in the jacuzzi. It wasn't the most beautiful day because of the vog (smog+volcano) but we still had fun. For supper we drove over to a family-owned Mexican restaurant and ate some good food. It was taking so long that we almost walked out, but then our food came and it was worth it. Rob wants to go back even though it's in a bad part of town and you could hear the music blasting from the bar next door. We left the next morning and made it back in time for church. It was sad to return to the real world and our tiny apt.

The whole day was a surprise for Rob and he loved it! I did too! Rob has spent the last 4 years surprising me so I thought I should return the favor since he loves them.

Jumping for joy. Doesn't it look like we can jump really high? Not true, for me at least.

Before...AfterSunsetIsn't this hibiscus huge?Compact ParkingWhy is it so pretty the day we leave?We definitely need to go back!

Happy Birthday Louisa!

Today is my sister Louisa's 2_th birthday. I don't know if she wants me to tell her age! Louisa could be lovingly described as free-spirited, open-minded, romantic, creative, earth-loving, and whimsical. She is very generous and believes that "what goes around comes around." She is a licensed massage therapist and is great at it.

She loves skin care and make up and has some of the nicest facial skin I've seen. She taught me how to wear make-up, how to dance, and how to open my first email account. She loves to laugh, read, tease, eat peanuts, ;) listen to music, and dance. When we were younger we formed a club for red heads complete with a secret handshake.

I always valued Louisa's opinion on my clothes, looks, actions, and secretly wanted to be her! When her favorite color was yellow, so was mine. Soon after she started shaving her legs, so did I (I was 8!). When she wanted to be a model, so did I. When she was in love with Joey from New Kids on the Block, he was my favorite too! I played clarinet and joined pit like she did. Even my best friend was her best friend's sister! What can I say? I love my older sister.

I have always looked up to her and I want her to know that I love her very much. I love to spend time with her and learn from her. Thanks "Maurice" for being my big sister and happy birthday!

"We came here to eat dinner and to party. This is a dinner party right?"

Can I just say I'm soo happy The Office is back? Rob and I both love this show! Last night's episode was so awkward it was hilarious. I loved it when Jim tried to leave Pam there.

For our fellow Office fans:

Michael Scott: [after sipping wine] That is sort of an oaky afterbirth.
Jim Halpert: What was that?

Dwight Schrute: Uh, what seems to be the problem officers?
Police officer: Not now Dwight.

Michael Scott: I also built this table.
Jim Halpert: What is that? Chestnut?
Michael Scott: No I think that is either pine or nortic cherry.
Jan: Pine.

Michael Scott: Man I would love to burn your candles!
Jan: You burn it you buy it!
Michael Scott: Oh good! I'll be your first customer!
Jan: You're hardly my first.
Michael Scott: THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!