December 31, 2009
Another year...
I'm still working on a special something to post so here is one thing I hope to accomplish in the new year:
Happiness with my present so that I may enjoy what is happening in front of me at any given moment.
How about you?
Please have a safe and happy new year celebration!
With lots of aloha,
Restless Mama & the Bambino
December 28, 2009
Internet-cation and a Contest!
I had a four-day weekend last week thanks to the holiday we call Christmas. I also had a four-day vacation from the internet. I can hear Aunty Megs going, "Whaaaaaaaaaaaa?!?!?! That girl doesn't take a break from checking her e-mails for more than 10 minutes! Not possible!!!"
Well guess what Megs! I did it! A whole weekend of no internet. Well ok, I checked my e-mail 4 times this weekend. Once for each day! And it was grand.
Though I was able to disconnect myself from the computer and phone pretty much except for the phone calls to my parents and sister. Unfortunately, I was not able to pry myself from the television - that is when I wasn't hanging out with the Bambino, cleaning, or hanging clothes or folding clothes, doing the whole family thing during Christmas eve and day.
By the way I finally cleaned my room! As in, I actually folded and hung up my clothes that had been hanging out on the floor of my closet for the past month! or so. Give or take. ;o)
Back to the television. I curse it. I curse Gilmore Girls reruns. I curse Doctor Who. I curse Top Gear. I curse Netflix for sending me P.S. I love you and letting me like it! Curse the tv and it's whole exisitence! Because not once did I open up any of the magazines that I haven't read ALL. YEAR. LONG!
That's just one big stack. I have another stack waiting for me in my bedroom. Yikes! Can you see that I haven't opened some of them? They still have the plastic covering.
No wonder I'm a big blob of blubber.Anyway, I'm very tempted to throw the tv out the back or put it in my brother's room. But then what about those times that I just really want to watch a girly flick? Or that new indie movie? Or crap tv? And then we get back into the cycle of me and the television and the whole not prying myself from the couch thing.
So that's where you come in lovely person who is reading this post of this wonderful, beautiful blog!
How long do you think I can go without watching the Boob Tube? One day? One week? One month? One second?
Rules: Me minus the TV for however long I can. That means no more Gilmore Girls and no more Doctor Who and no more Netflix!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Which means I'm going to have put a hold on my Netflix account and find a way to save the last episode of Doctor Who on my DVR. I'll also have to have my brother monitor my no watching of the tv. Though it doesn't count if I turn on the tele for the Bambino - I let him watch Sesame Street at night and a little bit in the morning to help me finish getting ready.
Leave a comment below and whoever is the closest will win a fabulous (undecided) prize from the beautiful islands of Hawai'i! Yes. It will be local. And it will be wonderful! I just don't know what it is yet.
I suppose I'll chronicle the developments of my non-television life. So you all can keep tabs. I think this will be a lot of fun!
Anyway, we'll get this no television party started tomorrow, Friday, January 1, 2010! And we'll keep it going for however long I can go without watching the TV. Oh and no this isn't a New Year Resolution. Just a fun thing for me to do. Though I am curious about yours - do share!
Cheers!
December 23, 2009
How do you holiday?
Looking for Santa.We are holiday-ing like this:
- Open gifts with friends Christmas Eve day;
- Buy a last minute piece to go with the holiday gifts I purchased for my two aunts, my brother and my uncle;
- Go to Christmas Eve dinner with Aunty L, Uncle T, Aunty Maka, Uncle Lou and the Bambino at Fancy McFadden in Paradise Island - we're going to a fancy restaurant for dinner which is great but it totally stresses me out when I have to get all gussied up for anything these days;
- Christmas day - open presents with the Bambino;
- Go to Christmas brunch with family (Nana Patty and the bunch) in Kailua;
- Go to Christmas dinner with the same family we will be having Christmas Eve dinner;
- Day after Christmas - sleep. Read. Write. Work on some freelance jazz.
Actually after Christmas I intend to come up with a plan where I don't buy people Christmas presents anymore except for my parents and the Bambino but still send the usual holiday card. Why do I need a plan? Because I know I'll probably end up spending money on other people anyway.
I'd really like to celebrate my Christmas like THIS.
Or like how we did in Boston. Lots of fun family time and no going out to fancy restaurants or having to split time between family. Knowing that good times will be had because everything is relaxed with a dash of chaos but the good kind. The kind where we sit around singing carols but mix up the words because we each have different carol song books.
And it's grand.
But I still look forward to spending time with our loving family here. It will be our first Hawaiian Christmas.
And you know who will be in town for Christmas on the beautiful island of Oahu in a wonderful town called Kailua?
Our President that's who.
Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka Obama familia!
Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka to you all!
December 21, 2009
It was my little brother's birthday on Friday.
He's the big 1-7 now. He can now watch R-rated movies without adult supervision! This is exciting stuff.
You're such a big boy now little brother!
And now it's time for a little b-day embarassment. Photos of you blowing out your brithday cake candles!!!!
Love you!!!!
December 17, 2009
Just a little bit unfocused.
I've noticed that in the past month that I've lost a good chunk of my "audience" and for good reason. I mean hey, who wants to read a blog that is totally random and no longer continuously updated?
Errrmm...not me? Not you? Not that guy eating his greasy fast food chain burger with ketchup and fries at his desk?
Thought so.
But that doesn't mean I'm going to close shop. No way. This is my little sanctuary and well sometimes I just can't make a regular appearance to my sanctuary.
Anysnooze. I know that this venue is a bit unsystematic. One day I'm talking about single motherhood. The next I'm showing off my charismatic photo shooting skills. And another day I'm talking about how awesome my friends and family are and how I much I miss this place or that place or some political issue or how geeky I am about gadgets or how I can't go to the bathroom in peace. I know I talk about some different topics and don't really have a focused audience.
In the beginning this place was just supposed to be a place for my friends and family to stop by to see updates on the Bambino. And then it grew into something more because I did something about it but without great effort. I just joined in on some conversations on very focused blogs and wham, bam thank you ma'am here I am.
But that's me. Just a little bit unfocused when it comes to this here blog I suppose. But really I just enjoy talking about a lot of different issues/topics/agendas/baby poop. Because I'm not one thing. Many things make up the person that I am.
The Bambino though he's a person and not ever a thing. Well except for when he was a newborn - he was kind of an alien. But all newborns are. They're just kinda weird beings in the beginning. It's not their fault.
Music. Love to listen and play any instrument that anyone will let me touch.
Sex. Obviously otherwise I wouldn't be exisiting! Ha ha. Lame joke. But seriously. Sex and the no-sex that is my life right now and will continue to be for another little while which is weird because I used to be a nympho. But in the safe way. You hear that mom and dad? Oh yeah, they don't read this anymore - TMI. T. M. I.
Food. I love it. I love to eat it. I love to smell it. I love to make it. I love to make sure that the Bambino eats lots of it. That's the funny thing about motherhood. We're really never at peace until we know our children are full and happy with lots and lots food in their tiny, tiny bellies. Now I understand why that mom in, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," was always cooking and feeding.
Crafts/design/art. Love to look at it. Touch it if they'll let me. And I always fantasize about how someday I'll know how to make this and that and even better THOSE!
Environmental/political/religious/humanitarian issues. I care about the world. I cry everytime I hear about another child whose life was cut short or doesn't have a chance at higher education. I am not afraid to criticize a person if they don't put that newspaper in a recycling bin. I am eager to learn about a culture different from mine. I especially enjoy a good ecumenical conversation.
Technology. I have a love/hate relationship with it. I am amazed by its advances in connecting people of the world and disgusted at what it has done to interpersonal relationships - it will also be the demise of them. I cannot live without and yet I cannot stand to have it around me. I how it's brought about social media but I also cannot wait until it is the weekend so that I can disconnect myself from the gadget and narcisitic talk. It makes me mad at the world and yet appreciate it at the same time.
Writing/journalism/blogging/pr. Writing. I've been doing it since I was a wee one. I remember I tried writing a screenplay when I was 10-years-old. My dad made copies so that I could bring it to school and have my friends and I act out what I had written. When in high school I knew that if I was going to do any sort of photography it would be photojournalism. So that I could travel and help show the world what was going on. When I lived in Norway I started blogging and writing newsletters to keep my friends and family up to date. And now I do some freelance PR work. It's an interesting relationship these different types of writing but I enjoy each part of it. Though I always have one particular voice in my head when it comes to writing - to help keep my integrity. He knows who he is.
Travel. My heart, mind, body and soul belong to the adventure of traveling. Admittingly I do grow restless when it comes to residence or place of vacation. I want to see what is beyond the fences. Beyond the ocean. Beyond the all that exists. If I could time travel I would but only to witness the "Roaring 20's" or feel the saliva of a Raptor or what the Bambino will be like as a man. I am Hawaiian. I am Irish. I am Jewish. I am African. I am Chinese. I am Norwegian. I am Australian. I am Micronesian. I am part of one big world and all of my self yearns to see it in this lifetime.
All of the above and more are what I am about. What I love to talk about.
So this Restless Mama may be a bit scattered but hey isn't it kind of fun to wonder what I'll be talking about next? I mean we've already got a lot of great people focused on a certain topic or lifestyle or whatever you want to call it. So who needs one more focused blogger on the blogosphere?
Anyway, I choose to see it as the I am focused on life...in general.
And plus, who doesn't like looking at a cute fella like this guy?
Errrmm...not me? Not you? Not that guy eating his greasy fast food chain burger with ketchup and fries at his desk?
Thought so.
But that doesn't mean I'm going to close shop. No way. This is my little sanctuary and well sometimes I just can't make a regular appearance to my sanctuary.
Anysnooze. I know that this venue is a bit unsystematic. One day I'm talking about single motherhood. The next I'm showing off my charismatic photo shooting skills. And another day I'm talking about how awesome my friends and family are and how I much I miss this place or that place or some political issue or how geeky I am about gadgets or how I can't go to the bathroom in peace. I know I talk about some different topics and don't really have a focused audience.
In the beginning this place was just supposed to be a place for my friends and family to stop by to see updates on the Bambino. And then it grew into something more because I did something about it but without great effort. I just joined in on some conversations on very focused blogs and wham, bam thank you ma'am here I am.
But that's me. Just a little bit unfocused when it comes to this here blog I suppose. But really I just enjoy talking about a lot of different issues/topics/agendas/baby poop. Because I'm not one thing. Many things make up the person that I am.
The Bambino though he's a person and not ever a thing. Well except for when he was a newborn - he was kind of an alien. But all newborns are. They're just kinda weird beings in the beginning. It's not their fault.
Parenting. The ups. The downs. The sideways. The byways. I'm constantly amazed at how much this little person who I call the Bambino and love with every mililmeter of myself changes everyday. The challenges that I am faced with everyday. The balancing act of single motherhood, work, health and everything that comes with parenthood. The not being able to walk out of the room without the Bambino freaking out because hey for some reason he's got it in his head that if mama leaves the room then she's never coming back!!!! The sharing of how the Bambino loves to blow kisses as he says goodbye to me in the mornings. How he has this HUGE smile when I pick him up from daycare. His refusal to eat with me during the weekends but how he chows down like there's no tomorrow with anyone else. How single parenthood is challenging but I love it and am afraid of the possibility having to share my bed. I like my space. I like the two of us. I love the two of us. I love the Bambino.
Photography. Love to photograph. Love to edit. Full stop.Music. Love to listen and play any instrument that anyone will let me touch.
Sex. Obviously otherwise I wouldn't be exisiting! Ha ha. Lame joke. But seriously. Sex and the no-sex that is my life right now and will continue to be for another little while which is weird because I used to be a nympho. But in the safe way. You hear that mom and dad? Oh yeah, they don't read this anymore - TMI. T. M. I.
Food. I love it. I love to eat it. I love to smell it. I love to make it. I love to make sure that the Bambino eats lots of it. That's the funny thing about motherhood. We're really never at peace until we know our children are full and happy with lots and lots food in their tiny, tiny bellies. Now I understand why that mom in, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," was always cooking and feeding.
Crafts/design/art. Love to look at it. Touch it if they'll let me. And I always fantasize about how someday I'll know how to make this and that and even better THOSE!
Environmental/political/religious/humanitarian issues. I care about the world. I cry everytime I hear about another child whose life was cut short or doesn't have a chance at higher education. I am not afraid to criticize a person if they don't put that newspaper in a recycling bin. I am eager to learn about a culture different from mine. I especially enjoy a good ecumenical conversation.
Technology. I have a love/hate relationship with it. I am amazed by its advances in connecting people of the world and disgusted at what it has done to interpersonal relationships - it will also be the demise of them. I cannot live without and yet I cannot stand to have it around me. I how it's brought about social media but I also cannot wait until it is the weekend so that I can disconnect myself from the gadget and narcisitic talk. It makes me mad at the world and yet appreciate it at the same time.
Writing/journalism/blogging/pr. Writing. I've been doing it since I was a wee one. I remember I tried writing a screenplay when I was 10-years-old. My dad made copies so that I could bring it to school and have my friends and I act out what I had written. When in high school I knew that if I was going to do any sort of photography it would be photojournalism. So that I could travel and help show the world what was going on. When I lived in Norway I started blogging and writing newsletters to keep my friends and family up to date. And now I do some freelance PR work. It's an interesting relationship these different types of writing but I enjoy each part of it. Though I always have one particular voice in my head when it comes to writing - to help keep my integrity. He knows who he is.
Travel. My heart, mind, body and soul belong to the adventure of traveling. Admittingly I do grow restless when it comes to residence or place of vacation. I want to see what is beyond the fences. Beyond the ocean. Beyond the all that exists. If I could time travel I would but only to witness the "Roaring 20's" or feel the saliva of a Raptor or what the Bambino will be like as a man. I am Hawaiian. I am Irish. I am Jewish. I am African. I am Chinese. I am Norwegian. I am Australian. I am Micronesian. I am part of one big world and all of my self yearns to see it in this lifetime.
All of the above and more are what I am about. What I love to talk about.
So this Restless Mama may be a bit scattered but hey isn't it kind of fun to wonder what I'll be talking about next? I mean we've already got a lot of great people focused on a certain topic or lifestyle or whatever you want to call it. So who needs one more focused blogger on the blogosphere?
Anyway, I choose to see it as the I am focused on life...in general.
And plus, who doesn't like looking at a cute fella like this guy?
December 16, 2009
Holy Crazy Life Batman!
Things at the Restless Mama and Bambino house have been a bit busy but in a good way.
I've been pretty busy with my full time job and my freelancing. It's been odd not being able to regularly post something here. But I don't feel guilty about it - I just miss it. The writing. The posting photos. The ranting and raving.
But I have been sending some mobile photos of the Bambino to my Tumblr and Posterous accounts. I still update Facebook. Every now and then I have a moment to check on my Tweeps (yep, I just went Tweeky Twitter on you!!). So I haven't totally let go of my narcissistic ways. *wink*
I love me some mircoblogging but it's just hard to find time to keep the motivation and momentum of writing. Especially during the holidays.
Oh yeah about that. So funny thing. I knew what I was getting for my favorite people on the mainland. I can't say what I got them because they read this blog but I go them at craft fairs, from one of my websites and a little aisle from Target. Oh and my theme? Well the awesome thing about living in Hawaii or any foreign place is that you can make a foreign theme out of your holiday gifts. But it's especially great when you live in Hawaii because what American doesn't like a good gift from the beautiful South Pacific islands of Hawai'i? Yeah, I thought so. So my favorite people are getting a little treat of aloha this holiday season. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!
The only thing? The one thing? The it? Is that I don't have any shipping money. I mean yeah I totally saved on those gifts that I bought because I shopped locally. But yeah I forgot about the shipping part. The part where you need to have that extra cash to send those gifts to those far-away-lands because HEY! You don't live on the mainland anymore! You live on an island! Far, far away from any continent! Far away from your favorite people!
So my sister and cousins in Massachusetts? LATE! My best friends in Seattle and Spokane, WA? LATE! My beloved surrogate family in Norway? LATE! Oh and my Philadelphia family who celebrate Hannukah? WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY LATE!
Don't even get me started on my holiday cards. The cute little Hawaiian themed holiday cards! LATE! Because I don't have any stamps to put on them.
Yep. This part of being a single mom. The part where you're pretty much dirt poor because a) you live in Hawai'i, b) have a priority to feed and clothe that beloved little person and c) your full time job doesn't pay all that well - yeah that part? That part sucks donkey balls!
Donkey. Balls! Donkey balls!
But hey. It's the thought that counts, right?
Errrrr....I suppose. I hate being late. The only people that I'm not going to be late for are my parents - the most important besides the Bambino - who by the way I still haven't decided if I'm going to get this toy or that toy. And my family here on the islands.
Oh but wait. I still haven't gotten gifts for two people. [BIG sigh of disappointment in self] I'll get them this weekend but I hate, hate, HATE shopping during this time of the year. I learned a few years ago that shopping in December is crazy. Like insane asylum crazy. Like I want to not only rip out my hair but the person standing next to me in line or the person grabbing the same thing as I am. Shopping in December is for the crazy people! So yeah. I'm going to be one of those people this weekend.
I've been pretty busy with my full time job and my freelancing. It's been odd not being able to regularly post something here. But I don't feel guilty about it - I just miss it. The writing. The posting photos. The ranting and raving.
But I have been sending some mobile photos of the Bambino to my Tumblr and Posterous accounts. I still update Facebook. Every now and then I have a moment to check on my Tweeps (yep, I just went Tweeky Twitter on you!!). So I haven't totally let go of my narcissistic ways. *wink*
I love me some mircoblogging but it's just hard to find time to keep the motivation and momentum of writing. Especially during the holidays.
Oh yeah about that. So funny thing. I knew what I was getting for my favorite people on the mainland. I can't say what I got them because they read this blog but I go them at craft fairs, from one of my websites and a little aisle from Target. Oh and my theme? Well the awesome thing about living in Hawaii or any foreign place is that you can make a foreign theme out of your holiday gifts. But it's especially great when you live in Hawaii because what American doesn't like a good gift from the beautiful South Pacific islands of Hawai'i? Yeah, I thought so. So my favorite people are getting a little treat of aloha this holiday season. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!
The only thing? The one thing? The it? Is that I don't have any shipping money. I mean yeah I totally saved on those gifts that I bought because I shopped locally. But yeah I forgot about the shipping part. The part where you need to have that extra cash to send those gifts to those far-away-lands because HEY! You don't live on the mainland anymore! You live on an island! Far, far away from any continent! Far away from your favorite people!
So my sister and cousins in Massachusetts? LATE! My best friends in Seattle and Spokane, WA? LATE! My beloved surrogate family in Norway? LATE! Oh and my Philadelphia family who celebrate Hannukah? WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY LATE!
Don't even get me started on my holiday cards. The cute little Hawaiian themed holiday cards! LATE! Because I don't have any stamps to put on them.
Yep. This part of being a single mom. The part where you're pretty much dirt poor because a) you live in Hawai'i, b) have a priority to feed and clothe that beloved little person and c) your full time job doesn't pay all that well - yeah that part? That part sucks donkey balls!
Donkey. Balls! Donkey balls!
But hey. It's the thought that counts, right?
Errrrr....I suppose. I hate being late. The only people that I'm not going to be late for are my parents - the most important besides the Bambino - who by the way I still haven't decided if I'm going to get this toy or that toy. And my family here on the islands.
Oh but wait. I still haven't gotten gifts for two people. [BIG sigh of disappointment in self] I'll get them this weekend but I hate, hate, HATE shopping during this time of the year. I learned a few years ago that shopping in December is crazy. Like insane asylum crazy. Like I want to not only rip out my hair but the person standing next to me in line or the person grabbing the same thing as I am. Shopping in December is for the crazy people! So yeah. I'm going to be one of those people this weekend.
So to my favorite people on the mainland and lands far away. How about a HAPPY NEW YEAR! present?
December 10, 2009
In awe of living the dream....
I'm really loving this Nikon project and this man's virtue of living his dream everyday.
What do you do to live your dream? Everyday?
December 9, 2009
December 4, 2009
Weekend Docket
- Tonight (Friday) I'll be cleaning my closet so that I can find my clothes for tomorrow
- Mililani Christmas Parade - the Bambino and I are in it for Baby Boot Camp. It will be awesome!
- Mililani Town Craft Fair
- Grab last chance deals @ Target for cheapo tree ornaments
- Winter Wonderfland (maybe) in Aiea
- Honolulu Festival of Lights
- So that was all Saturday up above
- Sunday: Windward Craft Fair
- Edit photos for the amazing artist brother and his lady friend
- Put up tree and decorate!!!!
- Buy groceries
- Call Popi and Tutu
- Call Aunty Megs, Aunty Brooke and Uncle Paul
- Hopefully sneak in a visit with Aunty Lass, Uncle Tim and Aunty Maka
And somewhere in there I have to make sure I get in a jog and sleep. So I'm thinking my whole "No TV weekend" just might work.
Have a good one everyone!
If you're in Honolulu for the festival "Tweet" me. I can't believe I just typed that.
xoxo
I am related to someone famous....
His name is Edward and he is my brother.
Check out the news segment from KHON TV (TURN UP YOUR VOLUME BECAUSE THE STUDENTS ARE A TAD QUIET):
xoxo
A Proud Sister
Check out my brother on KHON TV!!!
For those of you on the Hawaii Islands - don't forget to check out my brother and his beautiful artwork at 7:15 am on KHON TV TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!While watching be sure to do a happy dance and jump for joy because he is the most brilliant artist in the universe!!!!!!!!!Again, so proud.Love you Uncle Lou!xoxoxoxoxo
December 2, 2009
My brother is an amazing artist
The proof is in the link: http://www.movingusforward.net/archives/466 - his is the "Art 16."
If you live in Hawaii then tune into the news at 7:15 am tomorrow, Thursday, December 3rd on KHON TV to check out my little brother!!!! We are one very, very, VERY PROUD ohana right now - especially his mama. He's going to the best graphic arts designer and film director you'll ever know.
Way to go SUPER STAR!!!!
Love,
Your Grouchy Eldest Sister w/ the Really Cute Baby Who Calls YOU Uncle Lou.
December 1, 2009
We we did for the four day weekend.....(Part Three of Three)
And some photography of teenage romance.....
What we did for the four day weekend....(Part Two)
Some turkey gobblin' with loved ones....self portraits with our just out of bed hair.....
What we did during the four day weekend.....(Part One)
Some craft fairing @ the Okinawan Center and Neal Blaisdell Center.
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