Mākaha

Good morning Kahana, I think I'm in love with you

Kahana was a beauty this morning. We are so spoiled to live in the most beautiful place on Earth. 

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than going to the beach, having family time, and eating yummy sushi together. December has been so amazing and I don't think i'm ready to say goodbye to the holiday season just yet :(

"You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7

Sunday is pancake day

Bills Syndey Waikiki

My parents paid off the $200 parking ticket I got last week, so the least I could do was treat them to a yummy breakfast (and at the cutest place too). Bills Syndey (or just Bills) is located next to Hard Rock Cafe and Brandy Melville in Waikiki. There's a dining/cafe area downstairs with a more casual feel, and a restaurant upstairs with a wider menu. The portion sizes were just enough and everything tasted clean and delicious! A little on the pricier side but definitely recommend this place! I have to try the lunch & dinner menu now :) 

Update

It's been about a month and a half since i've planted my sunflowers, and boy are they coming up fast. I'm eager for the flowers to bloom already!

Senior Year

   

First day of senior year tomorrow. How did time fly by so fast? 

I ate a papaya today. I wanted it so bad but it wasn't ripe. I ate it anyway. If I had waited a day or two it probably would've been the perfect papaya. Maybe life's like a papaya. Goodnight. 

Update

These are the smaller sunflowers I planted in pots 5 days ago. Signs of life people, signs of life!!! 

Perspective

Hearing about the loss of my classmates mom made me stop and reflect on my own life and how small my problems really are. We think we have it hard, when in reality there is so much hurt and sorrow in other people's lives. Her family has gone through so much of it, more than any family deserves to experience, losing her brother 2 years ago and now her mom yesterday. Sending a lot of prayer and love their way, and I would appreciate it if you would take the time to do the same. 

Hump day

Started the day off with a bowl of old fashioned oats and fruit, a dash of almonds and pine nuts, topped with organic big island honey (the best!!) and a scoop of peanut butter. My attempts to eating clean and healthy hehe. It's the perfect boost to my day which will hold me until lunch time. Now I'm headed off to school to pick up my laptop. Cheers to blogging from a computer and not from an iPhone, yahoo! Have a mighty fine day y'all. Xoxo

Tend a garden Tuesday?

I've always been in love with sunflowers so today I decided to start a sunflower garden in my backyard... (Mind you I have no gardening experience whatsoever) BUT I HAVE HOPE! These American giant apparently grow extremely tall overhead with flowers up to 10 inches across so I'm really excited to see them grow. I'll be posting every so often with its progress. To new beginnings! 

Monday

I started my morning with a 2 mile run workout + abs, then my mommy and I made these lovely WHOLE WHEAT chocolate heart shaped pancakes! Aren't they adorable?

It's a new week so I thought I'd set some goals for myself. 

•Daily prayer *

•Be patient and kind, to EVERYONE * (Well at least try hehe)

•Read my summer book

•Get exercise at least once a day

•Eat clean *

•Take a break from technology *

•Get my mind back into school mode soon, tryouts for volleyball are in one week and were back in class in two! 

Time needs to slow down because I never want this summer to end! Time to make the most of what's left.

Have a blessed Monday loves. 

Weekend adventures

Here are a few snaps of my weekend, feeling mighty blessed with all this beauty surrounding me lately. Have a wonderful week everyone!

     

Heaven

This mornings hike to the Stairway to Heaven. He sure had a vision huh? 

Via Gelato

Lately I've been working a lot at my aunties restaurant and playing non stop volleyball everyday which is why I haven't posted lately. Though on my free time, I've been spending time EATING and exploring different food places on Oahu. 

I've been wanting to try Via Gelato for some time now and finally last night I got my fix of homemade gelato! I was contemplating whether or not I should write about this place because it's not super known yet, but it's just too good not to share. It is located near Coffee Talk and Sconies in Kaimuki, the perfect little place to go on a cute date or to just treat yourself. The workers were very patient when I asked to sample the different flavors. I ended up getting a scoop of cookies & cream in their homemade waffle cone. There's a homie feeling to this place with an awesome vibe. Just a bunch of happy people enjoying some amazing gelato. Try it yourself and let me know how you liked it! Xoxo

Marukame Udon

This cafeteria style restaurant in Waikiki had the freshest udon with a variety of tempura to chose from. Ever since i've eaten at Marukame Udon, all i've been thinking about was going back. There is usually a line going out the door, but it goes by relatively fast and is well worth the wait! I had the ontama udon with a poached egg, along with shrimp/sweet potato tempura. The sweet teriyaki tempura dipping sauce puts it over the top! You enjoy a quality meal for under $10. I wasn't much of an udon eater until I ate at Marukame Udon. Highly recommended!

17

I had the most amazing birthday weekend! I have never felt so grateful and loved in my life. A big thank you to these wonderful people for making it so special! Now it's time to buckle down and finish these next few days of finals because summer! xoxo

Banana Foster Pancakes w/ walnut pralines and chocolate ganache @ Mac 24/7

My girlfriends

A

Hanauma Bay Hike with Wyatt

A personal touch from the chefs at MW

They even customized the menu, so cute!

A shot of us at MW

Ended my birthday weekend with my two best friends

Mamas

 Because today is mother's day, I thought I would write about these two incredible women. This is my mom and her best friend, aunty Francesca, a second mommy to me ever since I was a little. Her daughter, Nora, has been one of my best friends since I can remember. Our mommies raised the both of us. If you can see in the top pictures, my mom is holding Nora and Aunty Francesca is holding me. They nurtured us with love and gave us an unforgettable childhood together. Noras mommy was a lover of life and had the kindest spirit. Although her time on Earth was limited, she enjoyed every second of it. I think that's something she taught us all. To take hold of precious memories and to do the things we want to accomplish before time runs out. Her spirit lives in all of us. We all miss her so much, but I bet Heaven is treating her pretty great. Today, I send love to my two mommies, who've both taught me so much.

A Moment In Time

Prom was amazing. Although...preparing for it was extremely frustrating. The day before prom, I was told that my dress was "revealing" and that I had to find a new one if I wanted to be let in. I was so stressed out, asking friends to borrow a dress and running around town (the day of prom) since my first trying to find something to wear for the big night. As crazy as this may sound, China Town has so many prom shops that have actually nice dresses, which is where I was able to find my black dress. Thankfully in the end, everything turned out absolutely perfect.

 It was so nice to see my classmates dolled up in their pretty dresses and perfectly fitted tuxes, having the time of their lives. As I looked around that night, I saw the people i've known my entire life as young adults. Beautiful young adults. We're all maturing into the future us that we thought about being many years ago. I remember dreaming about prom when I was younger, wearing a long, beautiful gown and fancy jewelry. I just couldn't believe I was at my own prom that night. Time is flying by and in no time, high school will be over just like that. Precious moments like these will all be stories one day. I can't wait to tell my kids about these wonderful people in my life, who have made my high school years the best years of my life.