Dia de los Muertos.

In honor of Dia de los Muertos today, I'd like to share an experience I had a couple months ago.
One morning, before work, I was scrolling through Facebook and came across a story a friend's niece had written for the Friend Magazine.  It was a sweet little story about two little girls who wondered what happened to their great-grandmother who had recently passed away.  They wondered if she was happy and with her loved ones.
On the way to work, as I was traveling on the freeway, the cars in front of me suddenly came to a screeching halt! The car directly in front of me stopped so fast that he swerved out of the lane to avoid the car in front of him.  I've never hit my brakes so hard before! I was already envisioning the aftermath.  To go from 70 mph to 0, in a couple seconds, can be a bit jarring. Luckily, by the grace of God, I was able to brake in time without any damages!  However, I was so shaken up because this situation could have ended A LOT worse!! I started crying because in an instance, I could have literally died and left my sweetheart and all my loved ones. I started to think back to that Friend story, and I thought about who would have greeted me in Heaven.
I thought about my maternal grandparents, Kuku & Tutu. 

 It's been about 12 years since I last saw them alive. I miss them. I wish I could hear them speak to each other in Hawaiian.  I wish I could kneel at my bedside with them every night and sit along side of them every morning, as they held hands, and prayed. I wish I could play the card game, "Speed" with my Tutu again.  I miss them so much and think about them often.  I look forward to the day that I'm reunited with them.

I thought about my Grandma Salote, my Dad's Mom that I'm named after.
Unfortunately, I never met her.  I can't say I've ever really talked to her.   She didn't speak English and I don't really speak Tongan.  I remember hearing her voice on long distant phone calls, as my Dad translated our conversation. My Dad told me that while she was alive, she would go around her village and share my photo with everyone she knew. She would tell her friends all about me.  As I look at her photo, I can see my Dad's face.  She passed away on a Sunday morning, in late September 1997.  I thought about what it would be like to meet her in Heaven.  I would hug her and hope that she would embrace me like we've known each other for a very long time.  I hope she has a nice view over me, from Heaven.


The next person I thought about was Levi's Mom who passed away a little over two years ago.

 Unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet her.  I would go up to her and tell her how Levi has been.  I would update her on her family.  Most of all, I would thank her for raising a very good son who makes me tremendously happy.  I would share my appreciation of teaching him not to judge, one of the first things Levi shared with me, about her.

I thought about my Uncle Ned, my Uncle Walter Wolfgramm, my Uncle Walter Fernandez, my Uncle Eddie & Auntie Moana, my dear friend Ana, Sister Donna Parke & Sister Joyce Sabine.  It consoled me to know that if and when the day comes for me to be "taken home to that God who gave them life", I know that there will be a joyous reunion of dear loved ones who have passed on before.  Until then, I will hold them in my heart and fondly remember them, most especially this weekend on Dia de los Muertos.  Aloha 'Oe.   

Happy Birthday America!

Dude, I love this day!! This is one of my most favorite holidays.  I love everything it stands for and the opportunity it gives Americans to be a little more patriotic today.  How can this song not get you to hold your head up a little higher and be proud to be an American?! I love it!

Now if only I could find this lil gem, it would make the day so much better!

Don't assume that I'd only wear them today... I've been searching for these for the last 2 years! I would proudly wear them ALL. THE. TIME.!! I love them!

Anywhoooo... I need to start packing up my stuff and get going to the beach, I've got a tan awaiting me, family to see and BBQ'd corn on the cob waiting to be eatten! LOVE IT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!! MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE!

Mother's Day 2014

Yesterday was Mother's Day and I was fortunate enough to spend it with some of my favorite people...

 

I know the last photo isn't the very best of my Mom, but I like it.  I'm glad I was able to get a photo with her, even though she just popped in the last shot without knowing we were doing IncrediBooth photos. 

I've thought a lot about my relationship with my Mom.  The last few years, our relationship has been rocky.  We haven't seen eye to eye on certain topics, but I know deep down inside that she loves me.  I've often gotten frustrated with her because I thought she wasn't the kind of Mom I wanted.  Heaven knows, she's probably thought the same thing about me, as a daughter.  I can only hope that she knows that I've tried to be the very best daughter I knew how to be, because I'm pretty sure that she's tried to be the very best Mom that she knew how to be, for me. 

At the heart of it all, I'm grateful for all that she has ever taught me.  Sometimes, I miss seeing her every day, but not a day goes by when she doesn't cross my mind, because of something she taught me.  Thanks Mom.

Valentine's at it's finest....

I was surprised with this lovely arrangement of Tulips, at work!! Oh how I love my sweetheart so!  (I just pulled the flowers out of its ProFlowers box, so they were VERY thirsty)  I loved the chocolates that came along with them, but the card was my favorite.  My sweetheart writes the most endearing and sweetest cards.  I felt so special receiving this sweet gift!  He's so thoughtful!

I loved the card I got for him.  It played "Wild Thing" when opened.

 We spent our Saturday cruising around San Diego taking photos.  We ventured to new places, in and around North Park & Golden Hills, which had a nice view of the SD skyline.  Enjoyed some sundaes at Mr. Frostie and checked out Crystal Pier for the first time (for me).  That pier worked my nerves.  Poor Levi's hand was a lil red after I held on to it so tight! It's nothing like IB...those dang wood planks shouldn't move so much! Eeek!

Levi made us reservations at Buca de Beppo...where it all started.  I loved being there with him.  I'm just glad I wasn't as nervous as that first date.  So many things came to mind, as I sat there across from him.  I thought about our first conversations.  I thought about how much I wanted to reach across the table and hold his hand.  I also thought about how cute he was to play footsies with me under the table, on our first date.  In all of my reminiscing, I couldn't help but think of how lucky I've been these last 16 months.  I wish I had known on that Sunday evening, that I was embarking on best adventure of love, happiness, humor and friendship!   My card really is true, happiness is found in loving and being loved in return...especially from my Levi.  I never dremt that I'd get this lucky to have the best Valentine in the world....oh how I love him with all of my heart!

I like seeing my Valentine's flowers in front of my Vday 2013 gift, my hope chest that Levi made.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

After spending a few hours shopping, Levi and I were able to finish all of our Christmas shopping for our families. I've gotta say that I'm so glad for online shopping! That also helped cut down on some time and money. 

We were able to also buy a tree and ornaments and had a nice time decorating the tree. I've gotta say it's rather beautiful! 

It's so nice spending the Christmas season with Levi, unlike last year, being away from each other for a month. 

Now that the tree's up, here comes my favorite part; listening to Christmas music , gazing at the decorated tree and imaging what Santa has in store for me. :)