I know it's 2 days late but I've been really busy with my son and squeezing as much fun out of these last few days of his winter break as possible.

It's illegal to pop fireworks in Hawai'i now unless you have a permit which only allows for those little lame poppers you throw on the ground.  Because of the large mix of Asians in Hawaii culture, fireworks are kind of a big deal during New Years celebrations.  My son loved lighting sparklers and small fountains that shined beautiful light and colors when you lit them on fire.  It was never legal to have huge aerial fireworks but just the same, the government kind of killed the fun and excitement of New Years and future 4th of Julys for my son and so many other children like him.

That is why we journeyed to Waikiki and braved the huge crowds of people so he could see some fireworks.  It's really lovely and magical to watch a light show in the sky as the new year rings in.  There were only a few places doing it and we thought that because it's Waikiki, this show would be the greatest.  It was pretty but very much lacking, in my opinion.  It wasn't as good as previous shows I've seen there and it went by in about 5 minutes and it was done.  Next year I think I'm going to go to Ko Olina on the other side of the island because they had an amazing show.

Despite my disappointment, I managed to get a few pretty shots of the fireworks as they lit the night sky.  Thankfully I was fully prepared with my camera all set and ready to shoot.  I enjoyed the modest firework show in Waikiki, especially the color of the black ocean at night reflecting the sparkling lights from the fireworks above.  All of the displays were lit from a barge out in the sea so it looked like the fireworks were jumping out from the ocean which was pretty neat.

I feel so lucky to see such beautiful things in my life.  There are people who don't ever get that opportunity. My son was using my small Panasonic point and shoot and got some pretty good shots considering it was handheld by a 10 year old.  He is really proud of them so I thought I'd share.  Here are his shots.  The last is one he did after he realized he could make shapes by moving the camera as he took the shot.

What are your New Years resolutions?  I usually have a hard time keeping mine so I made them simple for this year.  Spend more quality time with my son/be a better mom, be a better Christian, be more forgiving and kind and get healthy in 2012.  All of these are doable if I refuse to give up on them.  That's my goal and my mission for this new year.  

Share with me your resolutions or goals for this coming year.  Do you have any that are really difficult to achieve? 

Happy 2012 everyone!!

The day back to work and "the real world" after a nice Christmas break is something I generally dread.  I wish I could spend all my time with my son and my extended family.  Being a single mother is hard work.  Well actually, being a mother is hard work, whether you're single or not.  I think that being a single mother is just more lonely.  Blah....

We had a wonderful Christmas here.  Alaka'i and my nieces thoroughly enjoyed opening their presents and playing with them.  I on the other hand, was so tired from a night of completing wrapping everyone's presents that I was in a haze all day.  I felt bad for my son during the afternoon after my nieces went home with my brother and his wife because he wanted me to build an erector set with him that he had gotten as a present and I simply didn't have the energy.  That's the kind of thing that my ex used to do with him all the time.  Poor guy.  It's ok though, I made up for it after I had a good night of rest!

Going to work while my son's on vacation is especially hard for me because I know he wishes he could do more exciting things than just play with toys at grandma's or do workbook exercises to keep him sharp for school.  Today seemed like a Monday from hell even though it's actually Tuesday.  I was just bombarded with work and on top of it all, the prospect of sending my son to private school came up because public school just isn't providing him with a quality education.

The school in our district is more concerned with rushing curriculum to try to get kids to do better on standardized testing than they are with making sure the students actually comprehend and retain that information.  It's sad when you see teachers forsaking their students because the teacher's union wants to push something or because the teacher is just generally lazy or given a class much to large for them to properly teach.  I think private school is the way to go because the one I'm specifically looking at teaches not only a full and extensive curriculum but it also teaches the values that I believe personally.  I hope that they can take him mid term although I doubt it.  Either way, I have to gear up for sending him there next year.  Must. Save. Money!!!  I'm lucky that it's even an option to be quite honest, because many people don't have the means or opportunity to even consider sending their child to private school.

Do you ever wish you could just escape for a day?  Not escape your family but escape the stresses of life?  I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world but on work weeks, I scarcely get a chance to take in a sunset or appreciate the vast beauty God has provided around me.  I wrote earlier this week about stopping and taking notice. I think that was more a reminder to myself than anything else because the truth of the matter is that I don't do it often enough.

Let's escape together for just a second.  Imagine you're laying back in the partial shade, the sun's warmth touching your skin as a cool breeze blows your hair across your brow.  You can hear the waves slowly moving and splashing as the water and sand collide.  It's so peaceful, warm and welcoming.  Then just picture a handsome waiter bringing you a nice tall drink of your choice.  It doesn't matter if it's a glass of ice tea or a cocktail, just picture yourself sipping it as it cools your throat and you just relax and bask in perfect peace, warm and safe.

Ahhh... it was nice to take a break.  Now back to real life!! :P

Exactly 10 years ago to the minute, I gave birth to my son Alaka'i.  I had been in labor for 3 days (went in at 5 am on December 21st & gave birth at 11:29 pm Hawaii Standard Time on December 23, 2001).  He is the greatest blessing God ever gave me and I'm so lucky to be his mommy.  It's a fun and exciting journey watching him transition from a precious baby into a growing young man.  Hopefully there will be many, many more birthdays to come that we can celebrate together!

Even though it's difficult to throw a big party so close to Christmas because so many of his friends are on trips and busy with holiday plans, I still try to make his birthdays memorable and filled with fun and presents.  I knew so many people who had birthdays close to Christmas who were lucky to get 1 gift on their birthday (if that) so I really make an effort to make sure he has at least a few presents so that he doesn't feel like his birthday and Christmas are combined.  He's not one to complain about things like that though.  He's the light of my life and I love him so much.  

I know when he gets older if he comes across this and reads it, he'll probably be a tad bit embarrassed but also a tad bit proud.  Alaka'i, you are an amazing son and I hope and pray that all of your dreams come true and that you live a long, happy and healthy life.  You deserve the best, my boy and I never want you to stop striving for your dreams.  I love you so much.  

This is the most popular and widely available version of the Yu-Be Moisturizing skin cream.  At roughly $16.00 for 1.25oz, it's not what I would consider cheap but it works much better than any other moisturizer, oil or vaseline ever did on my rough elbows and knees.

Christmas came by quick this year didn't it?  The last 10 years of Christmases have been super busy and hectic for me because my son's birthday is on December 23rd.  I have to juggle his birthday and Christmas and boy is it exhausting at times!!!  He's turning the big 1-0 this year so I am planning something special.  

While I was going through my secret Christmas hiding place (that locks so no one can peek) and realized that I haven't started wrapping presents yet!!  Am I the only one who is (not necessarily by choice) waiting until the last minute to wrap presents?!   I have a few more days to get a jump start on wrapping but it's somewhat overwhelming because of the birthday.  I could make lots of cute and smart plans to wrap and get it going so I'm not stuck at the last minute but knowing myself and my schedule, I'll probably be pulling my hair out on Christmas Eve trying to cram major present wrapping in just one night.  

Have you wrapped all your presents already?  Are you done with your Christmas shopping yet?  I'm not!!    Nothing like waiting till the last minute! Heh. 

The word Aloha (ahh-loh-ha) has over time, become synonymous with saying "hello" and "goodbye" but it's much more than that.  Aloha also means to show love, compassion, mercy and kindness.  It is a Hawaiian value that when practiced properly, exudes pure and welcoming love and warmth to everyone you meet.  In my nearly 30 years of life I've watched the true Aloha spirit dwindle and fade as greed and stress have monopolized so many peoples' lives.  There is one place though that truly maintains, exudes and shares the true aloha spirit and that's Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha.  Tucked away in the newly renovated and growing Aina Haina Shopping Center, HOPA has become a regular stop on my daily jaunts to and from work and home.  Once known as "Doe Fang", Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha has not only been newly constructed, but the focus has shifted in a positive direction.

What is Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha?

My son and niece absolutely love going to HOPA to get fresh shave ice whether it's hot or breezy outside. The shave ice is light and the dozen or so syrups are made from all natural, locally grown ingredients.  I'd be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy it as much if not more than they do.  I love this place.  The fact that they use all green and recyclable packaging really adds to it.  It's so refreshing to have an ecologically sound business that not only says they care about the environment, but they live it.  

The fact that all of the syrup is all natural is one of the big winners for me.  I have a 10 year old and I appreciate the fact that he's not getting a stomach full of high fructose corn syrup when he has a shave ice here.  They also give a lot of shave ice for the money.  Bottom line, the shave ice is healthy and delicious and you get a good amount for the money.  It's all natural and I don't have to worry about my son's blood sugar level when he eats shave ice here.  Add to that the fact that it's a family owned and ran business and they're always friendly and welcoming, and you have a real winner.  Added bonus, they support LOCAL farmers!!!  

The syrup they use for their shave ice at Uncle Clay's is all natural and made with ingredients from Hawai'i farmers.  I appreciate that I'm getting fresh ingredients and it's supporting the local economy.  I'm all about supporting local businesses. 

Whether you're in search of a healthy treat or looking for something to cool you down on a hot Hawaiian day, I suggest you take time to come visit Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha.  Uncle Clay and his nephew Bronson really had it right when they came up with this idea.  It's a great place whether you're a local or you're visiting Hawai'i on vacation.  They're always welcoming and kind.  If you're like me and you're trying to watch what you eat and limit the sugar and processed food you intake or you're a parent looking for a sweet treat that won't have your children bouncing off the walls on a sugar high, HOPA is somewhere you have to visit.  You and your kids, will leave very happy!! 

Do you ever have the chance to stop and take notice of how beautiful the world around us is?  Even if you're in a large city with few trees and lots of smog, there are still so many beautiful things you notice as you walk along.  It could be a beautiful sunset, a pretty flower or the smile on the face of a stranger but we are surrounded by beauty every day.  The trick is that you have to look for it sometimes because when your perspective is off, it's harder to notice the simple beauty of places, people and all the things on this earth.  How lucky are we to be alive?

I came across this photo today and it's so beautiful and peaceful.  It's the view of a sunrise from a mountain top and it's simply breathtaking.  I hope to have the chance to photograph something as beautiful as this.  I love taking photos.  It's funny how through the viewfinder of a camera you notice so many beautiful things that you might have just missed otherwise!

Do you have any pictures that you consider truly beautiful?  I think one of the most beautiful things to see as a parent is your child smiling or sleeping peacefully and smiling while he's dreaming.  That to me is perfect bliss.