Family Friends

Some friends from Japan came by to see us last week.  When I lived in Japan one of my best friends had two children, a girl "Mami" nine years old and a boy "Daisuke" five years old.  They are now all grown up and came to visit us.  Mami now has two children, a girl and a boy, exactly the same age as when I first met them many years ago.  It was a strange coincidence, but also a wonderful time to remember and a very good visit.  The children were so animated and fun!  Daisuke and his wife are moving to Hawaii, they have received green cards through the lottery system.  I hope they will be able to settle safely and comfortably here in Hawaii.  It will be like having some of my Japanese family living close by.

a lovely feline Visitor

Last Saturday Guy and Tommy brought their kitty cat "Khloe" over for a visit.  She was a little bit shy, but so soft, calm and beautiful.  I just love having visitors, with two legs and four legs!  It was great to see Tommy also, last time I saw him she was probably six or seven years old.  Growing into a fine young man!

Digitizing old photographs

I have been taking all of my old slides from years and years ago, some from when I was in my early 20s, to Costco to be digitized.  It's a little bit expensive at $.26 per slide, but well worth it for me to be able to see all those photographs that brings back lots of memories.  I wanted to share with you one of my favorite pictures that I came across.  This is a picture of me when I was probably 17 years old and grandma Raker in Hawaii at the Polynesian cultural Center.  Circa 1974?  Yes, that's me on the right!

My Big Day out

On Wednesday my great friend Bob took me out to Aloha Tower marketplace. We took the handy van from my apartment at about 3:30 PM.  It was a nice easy ride, we were the only passengers and it just a few minutes to get there.  We wandered around checking out the stores and the harbor.  We sat looking out at the harbor as one of the Matson freighters came into the harbor, made a U-turn right in front of us, and then back into the loading dock area.  Amazing that such a big ship can maneuver like that.

 We watched the Star of Honolulu load up its Japanese passengers, with hula dancers greeting them.  A couple of the dancers looked really bored.

 Then we had appetizers and beer at Hooters! I had a great day getting out from the apartment was wonderful for me.  Thanks to much to Bob, Mineko at the Handy Van for giving me the courage and opportunity  to venture out.

53 years and still going

On Sunday I had my 53rd birthday! I had a really great day thanks to my wonderful family and friends.  I got lots of cards and well wishes.  Some great Amazon.com gift certificates (thank you Bev, Bob, Peter and mom and dad).  Christopher was especially loving, as he is always.  Mineko was especially patient, as she is always!  I had a wonderful birthday and it gave me the courage and will to continue for many more.  Thank you everyone!!

Monday visitors!

A couple weeks ago on a Monday I had the pleasure of visitors and took some pictures.  Michael visits me every Monday and brings me delicious lunches.  He's a great guy and spend the entire afternoon with me.  Michael has been visiting me for over a year now, fantastic!  Michael was introduced to me by Jennifer who use to work for the MDA.  Now she works for "Mothers against Drunk Driving".  Thank you to both of them for visiting me!  And thank you to all my visitors who make my life enjoyable and help me keep my connection to the world.

I can still see the top of the mountains

15 Craigside construction is still going on.  The last I heard it's supposed to be completed in February.  It looks like they have finished all of the floors and I'm very happy to say they still left a little of the mountains and the Valley for me to see.  I was so bummed out that they would take away my complete view from my bedroom window.  But this is great!  My glasses still half full.  I can still see the tops of the mountain's and the clouds going by.