Afghanistan, mostly!

Glimpses

Having children really puts a lot of things into perspective. If you look closely, you can get a glimpse into your parenthood. These glimpses, of course, can be totally endearing or horrifically terrifying. I've had glimpses before. Like the time that I saw Trinity smoking an asparagus. Or when the cable went out during a storm and she said, "What the flug?" Or when I got to her daycare one day and was pulled into another room because she blurted out, "Dammit" when she didn't get a seat during musical chairs. I've also seen her gather another child in her arms and tell them that they "will work through this together" as she wiped their tears. I've heard her say, "It's not okay to fart in public" to a classmate. By paying attention, you can get an idea of how you are doing, parentally speaking of course.

I got another glimpse just last week. I had decided to quit smoking (uh-ghee-in), make my workout routine more aggressive, and start yoga (uh-ghee-in). On Sunday morning, I rolled out my yoga mat and blew the dust off my DVDs. I did it for about 20 minutes. Although it says for beginners, I do remember it kicking my butt before. It kicked it again. I sat down out of breath and watched the rest of the session.

After lunch, I came out of my bedroom to find Miss Trinity in the living room with my mat on the floor, the DVD playing, and her performing the moves better than I. I sat on the sofa and watched. I was so proud of her. After she finished, she turned to me and said, "Namaste'." How sweet!! Now, I know that namaste' means many different things in different contexts and situations. But, my favorite is, "The light in me honors the light in you." Trinity's light was honoring mine by mimicking what she had seen me do several hours before!!!!!!

After she finished, I told her to get dressed (Mr. Lee was doing yoga with no shirt, she felt like she should, too) and let's go get her her own yoga mat. I guess the clarity gained by her yoga session caused her to not care about her ensemble. She put on hot pink, biker pants; a muscle t-shirt; her St. Patrick's Day green, cowboy hat over her big, Diana Ross hair; a foam sword; and one yellow gardening glove. As I bolster her creativity in any capacity that she shows initiative, I let her go to the store dressed as she wished. (I took my camera in the event of an impromptu photo op.) But, I guess the absurdity of her ensemble kicked in before we got inside. She put the glove and sword in my purse. She tried to get me to wear the hat. I told her that she brought it in. She could wear it. She didn't wear it. She kept trying to hang it on he sword that was protruding from my purse.

Namaste'

Zen Moment

I adore Margaret and Helen's blog!! Adore it, I say!!! The below is a post from one of the regular commentistas, Honolulu Sally.

"Here’s a zen moment from a friend:

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you anytime,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment ,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

…Then You Are Probably The Family Dog!

And you thought I was going to get all spiritual."

My nephew. My soldier. Hours before he deployed.

Fly Eagle

My best friend in this wide, beautiful world breezed through town yesterday to see Trinity and me on her way to California to begin a new chapter in her life. She moved back to Arkansas from California to care for her elderly mother. Her mother passed away around Thanksgiving last year. There was no longer a reason for her to stay. She is 20 years my senior. Yet, our lives have taken such similar paths.

It was so good to see her. We talked non-stop for the entire time that she was here. When she got into her car to leave, I hugged her and told her that I loved her. As she drove off waving, I didn't feel sadness to see her go even though I do not know when or if I will ever see her again. Instead, I felt the excitement of her new journey. It takes a lot of courage to pull up stakes and strike out on a quest for a new life with your future completely uncertain. It takes more courage when you embark on that endeavor alone.

I watched her until I couldn't see her car anymore. As I turned to go back into my house, I whispered into the wind, "Fly Eagle".

Inertia

Well, we are back in Arkansas. We have moved back because my mom was diagnosed with Fibromuscular Displaysia of the Carotid arteries.

An invaluable lesson witnessed by my astute, extremely intelligent little girl: The outcome to a set goal may not be as you planned or hoped. But, you have to have the courage to try.

The above pictures were taken at the Honolulu airport when we were leaving. She was more than ready to go, as you can tell, to see my mother. LOL!!! Doesn't she look so cute???!!!

Par for the course

I was waiting at the corner of University and Dole for the light to change so that I could cross the street.  Several others were waiting as well.  The light changed and the white light guy appeared.  I stepped into the street and almost got hit by a bicycle.  I've almost been hit by a car before but never a bicycle.......

Built for Comfort

Am I the only one who likes Duff on Ace of Cakes?  Am I the only one that would love that bald head and go-tee all night long?  He is the type that is built for comfort not for speed.  And, I so don't mind.  

I've got a cake for him to decorate!

www.charmcitycakes.com

I just love resourceful MEN!

I met this really cool guy last Friday at my office.  He came in to give a presentation.  He was staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  Although he looked at me suspiciously when I asked for his room number, he gave it to me.  I ask everyone that I come in contact with who is vacationing as I take Trinity and hit the pools as if we are also tourists.  

We went Sunday afternoon.  When we rounded the corner, there he was.  We both burst into laughter and I introduced him to Trinity.  We swam for a while and then talked for a while.  During our conversation, he said, "You want a beer?"  I said, "Sure."  Why of course I did!  He disappeared and came back carrying a brown paper bag.  In his room, he had fashioned a plastic bag containing ice, four beers, and lime wedges inside the brown paper bag.  He had made his own beer cooler!  I couldn't help but laugh.  To which he replied, "Hey, I worked it out!"

I just love resourceful men.  He was too cool!

SCORE!!!!!

I love thrift stores!!  I can poke through a thrift store for hours but become instantly bored with malls.  My sister is a dumpster diver.  She doesn't go looking for food or anything.  If she sees something sitting on the side of the road abandoned, however, look out!  She would go crazy in Hawai'i.  I am amazed at what people put on the side of the road.  But, we are on an island.  I guess if they are moving to the mainland and can't sell it or ship it, to the side of the road it goes.

Tonight, I found the two pieces shown on the side of the road.  They weren't there this morning and had not been rained on.  For the dresser, I hauled in the drawers.  For the frame, I had to "criss-cross" it down the street, meaning I would grab the end, twist it around, and then grab the other end.  When I got to the point where I was going to have to cross the street, a nice older gentleman helped me carry it to my door.  I, then, stood it up on it sides and pulled it in.  Did you see the Hawaiian flowers carved into the side?  I can't wait to get to Home Depot for paint and new pulls. 

The little TV stand was kinda wobbly.  But, I thought it would look perfect housing Trinity's stuffed animals.  Wasn't I right?  She walked in and gasped, "I love it!"  She did not know that I had packed all of them.  They have been residing in their U-Haul box that they were lovingly thrown into in Jonesboro.

Whatta a SCORE!!!!

Cultural exploration

I found Trinity the cutest pair of child-sized chop sticks with little teddy bears on them.  I gave them to her last night and explained how they were used.  This morning, I got mine and hers and showed her how to use with them.  She began eating her mandarin oranges with them almost immediately!!!!!

She's doing so well!!!!

Babe on the Beach

The artist

My daughter has always been a very good artist.  Last night, however, she really surprised me.  She drew a picture of me complete with glasses and earrings.  On the back, she had drawn my hair.  I was really proud of her and told her that I wanted to put it on the wall (as we have no pictures one the walls).  She excitedly told me that I would have to wait as she needed to draw my breasts.....

Now, Trinity was a breast fed baby.  I never fed her a bottle.  I would express at work and her sitters would feed her breast milk while I was away.  The La Leche League recommends breast feeding for two years.  Trinity and I went for two and a half.  I tried to wean her at two years.  But, she saw it as rejection and began to act very timid around me.  It wasn't worth her self-esteem.  So, I continued to breast feed.  (Please keep in mind that I was only a snack once she began baby food at seven months.  So, it is not like I was making her drink only milk until she was two and a half.)  At two and a half, she got really sloppy with her latch on and it began to hurt.  I then realized why you see momma cows kicking their off calves....

Anyhoo.  After she smilingly showed me the added breasts, she decided that she needed to draw my cookie, our household name for our female anatomical units.  I couldn't quit laughing.  She then decided to draw herself in the picture complete with the same parts.

She is a trip!!!!!!!!!!

Waikiki Aquarium

Riding the waves with my daughter

Collectively, I've done some really cool things during my visits to the islands.  While on Maui, I took a helicopter ride from Kahalui to Hana and snorkeled.  On Oahu, I've been diving several times, seen beautiful sights, hung out with friends while listening to local music, and met some really cool people.  But last night, I did the most awesome thing to date.  

After I picked Trinity up from the daycare, I took her to Waikiki to the beach.  I had purchased her some fins to help her glide around the water.  She never got he hang of them and they ended up back on the shore.  She still had on her pink floaties, though, and was happily flitting around in the water.  I was describing the ebb and flow of the water and how it will push and pull you toward and away from the beach.  She thought it was cool to ride the waves before they crested.  I couldn't agree more.   Then, she swam over to me, wrapped her arms and legs around me, and gave me the most warm and comforting hug.  As we were hugging, a big wave came and pushed us toward the shore.  That was the most awesome moment!  How cool to be hugging your daughter while riding a wave.  

Then, I got to thinking.  That concrete and profound moment describes us literally and figuratively.  Not only were we bathing in the Pacific, but in the grander scheme of things, we are riding the waves of our lives in the big, unknown blue waters with only each other.  

I wouldn't change a thing!

Hawaii rule: No rain, no rainbows

Creative little girl!!!

Trini did this last week sometime.  But, I thought it was completely noteworthy!!!  She is so creative.  Our front window slides vertically on a wooden track.  So, the premade little window security things do not work.  We had to make a trek to Home Depot for dowels.  I was actually pretty proud of myself as I had to saw them to measure myself.  I kept the other ends for weaponry, if you will.  

A day or so later, I rounded the corner to find that Trinity had fashioned one as a microphone and was using the other for an ukulele.  It was too cute!!!!!!

I just love everything about her!

Our humble Hawaiian abode

We have living room furniture!!!  I am so happy.  Trini and I have been (rather, I have been.  Trini has been sitting in her beach chair) sitting on pillows on the floor.  I've been pouring over ads on Craigslist for furniture since we arrived.  I had decided on a futon.  But when I tried to piece together living room furniture separately, it was costing a mint.  Today, I happened upon a real estate agent who is assisting vacation-rental condo owners with their sales (as tourism is low due to flight prices), he offered me a complete living room set at a deal.  Did I mention that he offered to deliver it???  Anyhoo.  It is totally island flair, which I wanted.  It is white rattan.  The cushions have a blue background with tan and green palm fronds.  I love it!!!!!  The sofa is a sofa bed for any mainland guests.  We just won't be able to walk to the door.  LOL!!!  

I love Hawaii!!!!!

Adventure buddy and me on our way to the fireworks @ the Aloha Tower

Yesterday's happenings

Yesterday was productive indeed!!!

I had lunch with Ed & Guy regarding my role within Alaka'i.  We had an excellent lunch.  We had an excellent professional meeting.  But the coolest thing about the luncheon appoint was.....  As we were finished with our dim sum, we were sipping our tea.  I told the gentlemen, "Who would have thought that in October, 2005 when I met you guys that we would all be sitting at the table in Honolulu today discussing my role within Alaka'i."  Guy looked at me and said, "I seem to recall you telling me, at the October 2005 Program Kick-off, that we were your ticket out of Arkansas."  I looked at him in astonishment.  I DID say that to them.  And, they remembered.  I had almost forgotten.

After lunch, the gentlemen dropped me off at the Leahi Hospital for my 2:00pm interview.  Oh my gosh!!!  The interview went so well.  It was with the Hawai'i AIDS Research Program through UH.  I met a culturally diverse group of professional women that were so likable that I almost wanted to ask them to go have a drink with me.  They are looking for the exact type of administrative support that I provided the Laser Jock group in Jonesboro.  I made them laugh.  I answered their questions.  And, I secretly sat there sending them brain waves that stated, "Hire this girl.  Hire this girl."  

The most incredible part was the view.  As I stood waiting for the elevators, I decided to take the stairs. And there to greet me was Diamond Head in all its grandeur.  There was absolutely nothing between me and Diamond Head with the ocean on either side waving to me.  I said outloud, "Why didn't I bring my camera?"  So, I took the following pictures with my Treo.  Not great quality.  But, damn, do you get the gist!  

It was a great day!!!!