Hawaii...

Much needed relaxation and rest in the wonderful state of Hawai'i! I'd like to believe I am Kama`aina but let's be honest, I'm a malihini!

The first week on the big island was wonderful not only for all the stuff we saw, but all the wonderful people I got to see again after moving away 28 years ago!!! Most of call, Auntie Nishimoto and her daughter (and our wonderful host), Bev:



Uploading is slow, so only a couple more pics for now... This first one is for my sis!

Green Sand Beach:



The beautiful water of Southpoint:



Shannon and me!

The Great Feast

Yesterday, we went to visit the graves of my paternal grandma and grandpa. My half-aunt (2nd Gu-Gu) came and picked us up, we got some flowers and together, we all went to the cemetery. It was a new cemetery I had been to and it was an interesting drive to it - a golf course on the way to the cemetery, and what looks to be a new apartment complex nearby. And, luckily for us, this time the cemetery was well maintained meaning we didn't have to cut down grass to get to the 2 sites. Here's Grandma's site:



And here is Grandpa's site with Dad's and my shadows.



The only problem is, the mosquitoes went in a frenzy when they realized that for 5 minutes, they had new, imported blood - me!!! In the span of 5-8 min, I had over 15 bites. Itchy!!!

We then went back to town and wandered - all the beautiful open air markets and spices! I wish this is what I could see everyday...



It then started to pour rain, but thank goodness, well, at least for a little bit as it certainly cooled off the weather.



We went to the Sarawak Museum, then back to the hotel to get out of the returned hot, humid weather. No wonder the siesta exists - so hot in the early afternoon!!! At night, we went out for some seafood - sooooo tasty!!! Here they are before the frying pan (check out the size of those freshwater prawns!!!!):




And here's us before eating all the yumminess:



Je? You reading this? :D

Leavin', on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again...

OK, not really. I know when I'll have to be back to work. 2 weeks, baby. But 2 wonderful weeks of no work!!!! Yay!!!

So, thanks to the wonderful world of the internet and wireless connections, you'll get updated on this trip!

I landed in Singapore late Monday 4/27 after 17 hours total in air and after reading the first 3 Twilight novels (quite good, I'll save that for another blog) and another book, I was tired!!! Hong Kong security seemed confused by my epi-pen and Singapore was thermal scanning anyone for fever in concern of swine flu. I was a bit scared they would hone in on me, being from California and all, but reading the news, looks like New York is worse off!

We slept at the Airport Singapore Crowne Plaza - very modern and chic! - ate some cha siu gan lo mein for breakfast - yum! - then headed off for Johor Bahru to catch our flight for Kuching!

Je - this one's for you! I got to see the pretty airport flower wall! They got mad at me for taking pictures of the flowers; apparently, it's forbidden, so here is a so-so shot (but still so pretty!!):



We then got on the plane and before landing in Kuching, here is what we saw from the plane. Lots of silt upturned!



It was quite hot in Kuching and after cooling off in our hotel for a bit, we ventured off to look for sweets, shrimp chips (sorry je, no colorful ones!), and fruit. The fruit was so pretty...



To top off the lazy hot day, we had some dinner which, drumroll please, included the infamous pinwheels!!!! :D They sure were tasty. Dad thought they look starved and said that he would have ignored those pinwheels when he hunted them down to eat as a child. :)



I woke up this morning to the prayers - it was quite lovely and relaxing, I must say.

Go Steelers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

O.M.G.

Thanks to Bridget who brought this to my attention. So. Ridiculous.

In anticipation of the upcoming Steelers-Ravens match-up:

Pittsburgh Mayor Ravenstahl changes his name to 'Steelerstahl'

Alamere Falls

in Point Reyes. My sister and I went hiking there over the holidays. A little foggy, but it cleared up nicely and we had a ton of fun. QOTD: Choo-choo! :D














These last two my sister took:


(don't we look cute?)

Pretty Skies...

Happy New Year!

I'd lie and say one of my New Year's resolutions is to be better about blogging, but let's be honest - I tend to get busy and forget! But, I am about to post some great photos since my last blog. At least I think great. :) Enjoy!