Love, and Do what you Will

Once and for all, a short rule is laid down for you: Love, and do what you will. If you keep silence, do it out of love.  If you cry out, do it out of love. If you refrain from punishing, do it our of love. 

Let the root of love be within.  From such a root nothing but good can come.  

-St. Augustine 

Mele Kalikimaka

It definitely wasn't my traditional Christmas.

  For starters I was wearing a bathing suit and t-shirt. As humbug and anti-holidays as I felt this year (spending my first Christmas in 23 years away from home) , the day ended up surprising me.  I had a wonderful relaxed day with extended ohana and spent a few hours stand up paddling to get my appetite roaring for a big Christmas dinner. 

Christmas Eve run around Ala Moana Beach Park.

I took the hat off before we paddled out- which turned out to be the right idea because I took a few humbling falls while we were out there.  Twas a Merry Christmas indeed though- I came back with no reef injuries or wana in the toes ;) 

beautiful project

Over a year ago I read an article from my mom's magazine that inspired me.  The article had three different woman write about what made them feel truly beautiful- radiating form the inside out- kind of beautiful. 

I read the article in California and was reminded of my circle of friends I was building back in Hawaii who hold this type of beauty. 

I set an intention to start on a project of my own- dubbing it, "The Beautiful Project" - creative and original right? ;-) 

I realized the list of ladies I could pose this question too was endless, reminding me of the special people I have in my life. 

Unfortunately, this project was put on the back burner as other goals, priorities, and work took over...but while I was cleaning my room a few days ago, I found one of the first answers I received from my dear friend and sister Katherine. She was one of the first that I asked this question to, "What makes you feel truly beautiful?" and what I got, was nothing short of a beautiful answer. 

" I rarely feel lovelier than when I'm laughing or smiling or causing someone to do the same.   Maybe this is why humor, wit and the things ridiculous cause me to saunter after others and draw them near to myself.  As long as we can laugh together it is difficult to feel unsightly; the act of amusement casts the dullness off ourselves.  

I suppose, it we're being specific, what makes me smile inwardly as well as outwardly most are: taking in a sunset with a soulmate, a lonesome surf amongst the throng whilst feeling anything but lovely, a well-timed smile erupting a ripple of beatitude around you, hiking into a lost land in a rainstorm and meeting yourself in others, enkindling them by being yourself." 

♥ ♥ ♥ 

My heart is telling me to pick up this project where I left it and take it somewhere big! 

Meet the little man ♥

Most interviews and bios you find are on the celebrities and the rich & famous. But after spending time with my nephew, Drew,  I found him to be infinitely more interesting.

So with the help of his momma- here are the answers we got!  

Drew Brenden ♥ 

Favorite Food- Pizza

Favorite Place- Original answer was Round Table (haha that explains answer #1) then Alesa explained he could go anywhere that he's been and he answered with the zoo.

Favorite Word- apparently he has been obsessed with the word POOP lately. ;) 

Favorite Character- Buzz from Toy Story & spider Man.

Can't sleep without- his MiMi's (The two blankeys he's had since birth)

Favorite sport- Baseball & Golf 

Favorite Game - Memory card game 

Biggest Outburst - "About a month ago, we took him and my nieces to get thier pictures taken, which he was ALL about. He was on his best behavior and listened to EVERYTHING she photographer told him do.. however, as soon as his turn was done- he was heart broken- in tears, because he wanted to keep taking pictures! haha i didnt know what to do! lol"- Alesa 

Currently working on - "He can write "Drew Leon" in all CAPS. we are working on the difference between uppercase and lower case, and he attempted "Brenden" (his middle name) and gave up because it was too long... hahaha he can count to 20 and can write his numbers... word formation is what he's working on right now" - Alesa  

He is seriously gonna break some hearts! 

Miss you Drew & Leese ♥ 

SC Mountain Brewery

A grilled eggplant panini washed down with an organic Ginger beer made for the perfect lunch at Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery today. But what really made the day- was the company. 

♥

I love being with my sisters and brother! (No need to add the "in-law"- he's more special than that!)

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery

 This was my first time to the Brewery but not Chris & Steph's.  It's a favorite spot of Chris's and even though they no longer live in Santa Cruz- a surfing trip to the coast usually means a stop for a well deserved cold one. They even allow dogs- which means Zepplin's been a visitor too!

We followed our lunch with a walk down West Cliff accompanied by thick fog and air heavy with the scent of seaweed and salt- things I really do miss about the northern California Coast.

 

A beautiful way to spend my last 24 hours. 

Tonight's agenda includes Erin's recipe for Bellinis (champagne, peach nectar, and pom juice), decorating the Christmas Tree, and a wonderful last supper before I jump on a plane in the AM. 

California, I'll see you soon!

After over a month of lusting over a necklace made by local jewelry designer, Noelani Love, I finally made the purchase! 

This huge & beautiful opalite stone connected to a 14k Gold fill chain is named "Luna" and is said to "make you feel magical!" 

Well, it makes me feel that + stylish since I have gotten  countless compliments on it so I wanted to share Noelani's website and info and spread the word and love about her. (If you don't already know!)  

I also picked up a pair of earrings named, "Erin", for my sister Erin :) Mother of Pearl with a turquoise teardrop. Gorgeous. 

Using the element of nature, Noelani's designs are unique, hand-crafted, and a true piece of Aloha from Hawaii!

Noelani Love - check out her website!

 

 

California Dessert + Olivia Wilde + 70's inspired pieces = L♥VE

When your heart tells you home....

You Go.

CREATE.

Spent some quality time making jewelry with my best Kate yesterday.  

Kate's friends gave her some feathers from their lovebirds (not to worry- the birds were not harmed for their feathers ;) and she did some beautiful things with them creating earrings and started making a necklace for yours truly!  Kate has a great talent for designing jewelry and I am so excited for her to start producing pieces again. I will be sure to put my PR skills to use and be her publicist as soon as she's ready to sell her creations. :) 

TOMS

Apparently I am the last to know about TOMS shoes. On the morning of Black Friday, my co-workers and I got to lululemon @ 5:30am to prepare for the madness and I noticed them both wearing amazing silver twinkle toe sparkle shoes! Turns out they were TOMS.

TOMS has created the One for One movement- the company matches every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. 

One For One. 

The company has already donated more than 1 million shoes! 

I ran to Nordstrom immediately after my shift ended and picked up a pair. My new Holiday shoes :-) 

This is fashion I can stand behind- drop dead cute, and a humanitarian movement to benefit children! 

Give yourself or a friend an early Christmas present and pick up a pair of TOMS!!

TONS of cute styles!

http://www.toms.com/ 

Give thanks

As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily.  The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world.  ~Terri Guillemets

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Last night in my yoga class before we began our practice, we took some time to talk about gratitude.  We took turns sharing what we were thankful for and it was beautiful to hear everyone's different answers. 

One woman was thankful for her recent move to Hawaii, another was thankful that she was alive after she had gone through a serious surgery earlier this year, one expressed gratitude for the challenges she had faced recently because of the growth that came with them, and one was thankful for everyone in her life, including us, the people she was practicing yoga with yet didn't even know outside the studio. 

What I felt most thankful for came easy, a strong image of my parents came to mind.  I felt the need to tell every person in class how amazing and special my parents are.  I could take over the class and talk about them for the hour and a half that we were supposing to be practicing yoga- easy! Instead- I quite simply stated that I was thankful for them.  Their never ending love and support, even in times of my extreme indecision about what I want to do and where I want to be, they seem to jump on my path and support what I decide.  My entire heart yearns to be with them today- as I can imagine a fire blazing in the living room, an amazing food aroma filling the house, and the TV set on a football game that no one is really watching because everyone is hanging out in the kitchen.  To whoever is reading- I hope that you celebrate today with loved ones and remember to give thanks not only today, but everyday. 

"I think I am jaded to sunsets"- my friend Dane says 

as we start moving out on the ocean.. preparing for a sail past the sunset returning only when the moon has risen for the night and everyone on the boat has had their fill of all you can drink mai tais, vodka & rum mixes, and cheap beers.  

And I am ashamed to say... I felt the same. How many sunsets can you experience, how many pictures can you take, how many different colors can you count in the sky before they all start to run together?  I took a moment to look at the sunset before my eyes and tried to feel it.  Search my soul for the appreciation that should have already been present.

And then, as if Mother Nature felt my shame, the repeat-nothing special sunset I felt I had seen so many times before, changed to am amazing pink, orange extravaganza. We sat on the boat, everyone grabbing their camera's to take pictures, staring in silence and uttering words about how beautiful it was. And of course- reminding ourselves, "Lucky we live Hawaii" 

Hawaii Spirit Festival

Can I please have a repeat weekend of the Hawaii Spirit Festival? 

On North Shore, no technology (ok I did have my phone but I was never on it), and the only stress (if you can even call it that) of the day was which workshop to take! 

Pranayama with Rod Stryker? Or Happy Yoga with Steve Ross?

West African Dance or the Yoga of Astrology? 

The Sprit Festival was an event that left me feeling inspired, liberated, and ALIVE. In participating in these workshops and meeting these master teachers who own studios, travel & teach yoga for a living - things became very real and very clear. 

What these influencing individuals did for me- I want to do for others.  

I decided that weekend- that my Yoga teacher training I planned for in 2012 couldn't wait. 

My heart was telling me- Do it now. 

It took me less than 10 minutes to find out that my studio was planning a teacher training in January 2011.
Perfecto!

I can't blog about the HI SPirit Fest without talking about Twee. She's amazeballs! A senior teacher and trainer of Yoga who

 has been on a spiritual awakening tour for 3 years... traveling all over the world to inspire and empower people in different communities. She donates a portion of all of her proceeds from yoga events to local and global charities as a contribution to improve the lives of those less fortunate- like I said-amazeballs.  

While I was taking her class, soaking in every word she said like a sponge, she kept going back to the same message, that we are our best guru- listen to your inner teacher, turn inward instead of looking outside for answers.  I have never taken a class from someone who had so much passion and heart in her words.   

There were probably 50 or more people in class and everyone seemed to be captivated by her presence and hanging onto her every word and lesson. 

So while Twee reminded us that our best teacher is ourselves, I couldn't help but look at her in reverence- feeling so blessed to be in the same space at this astounding woman.  I felt a force I couldn't ignore to talk to her after class and thank her (without begging her to take me under her wing, teach me everything she knows, and allow me to travel the world with her.) That's what I REALLY wanted to say... but I figured a simple "thank you" would be suffice. 

http://www.tweeyoga.com/index.html

"The Ocean of life is lavish with it's abundance. 

All my needs and desires are met before I even ask.

My good comes from everywhere and everyone and everything."

"Allow yourself to expreience what it is to learn step by step the freedom that comes from being unattached to the outcome, but operating from an empowered heart."

Preparing for a full day of yoga workshops on the North Shore at Turtle Bay tomorrow. :) 

Hawaii Spirit Festival here I come!

Hafiz

All the Hemispheres

Leave the familiar for a while.

Let your senses and bodies stretch out

Like a welcomed season

Onto the meadows and shores and hills.

Open up to the Roof.

Make a new water-mark on your excitement

And love.

Like a blooming night flower,

Bestow your vital fragrance of happiness

And giving

Upon our intimate assembly.

Change rooms in your mind for a day.

All the hemispheres in existence

Lie beside an equator

In your heart.

Greet Yourself

In your thousand other forms

As you mount the hidden tide and travel

Back home.

All the hemispheres in heaven

Are sitting around a fire

Chatting

While stitching themselves together

Into the Great Circle inside of

You.

-Hafiz-

cyberspace time travel

I traveled back to October 27th, 2008 today.

Rummaging through old e-mails and archives of facebook posts, I was amazed to see where time had taken me.  Some posts had me thinking- what was I even talking about? What was I going through? At the time, it must have seemed so important, and now, I'm searching through the files of my brain to find that it wasn't even important enough to be saved into my memory!  Apparently the impact of what I was feeling that day wasn't life changing.

But there are other posts and e-mails- statuses and quotes that I shared that I re-read today and was immediately transported.....reliving and remembering the details, feelings and emotions attached with that  days past.

 College graduation, My big 2-2 birthday, the Master Clean (eeek), Christmas Eve with my family at home, the first time I took my surfboard out, a guitar lesson with Johnny, a last minute Vegas trip, Seattle adventures with my cousin, mind opening yoga classes, roaming the island, confusion and revelations, a break-up, a hook-up, a fight, a building relationship and a heart of forgiveness.  

It's all right there.

In my love/hate relationship with facebook, I came to realize that the site acts like a scrapbook...keeping all the pictures, conversations, posts in one place that I can come back to every once in a while... as a reminder of how fast life moves and how much can go down in a year! 

So facebook... I guess you're not so bad. Thanks for saving my memories.... 

well at least up until 10-27-08... apparently you don't have enough space to save before that date.

Aloha kakahiaka Hawaii. 

Grind an early breakfast @Andy's in Manoa....followed by a beautiful drive through Tantalus with mi amor.

"Not all who wander are lost." 

Kanealole- Makiki 

What an early retirement in Big Sur might look like. 

Welcome to NorCal. Wetsuit required. 

Wedding Time

Leaving "home" for "home" had never been so upsetting.  I was leaving far earlier than what I was prepared for- 10 days never happened so fast. One minute we were on the Chardonnay cruise for my sisters bachorlette party and the next she is married and we are waking up to head to the airport.

side story- we get to SJ airport and while trying to check in, I realize I forgot my wallet back in Hollister. WOW- was this a sign? I really didn't want to leave! Even my subconscious was telling me something. None the less, the helpful Hawaiian Airlines attendant put me through extra security clearance and I had just enough time to scarf down a pastry before boarding the plane back to Hawaii.

In the past, I couldn't get back sooner. I would crave my routine, the weather, friends, life as I had created and perfected it. And now, here I was, wishing for more days in California- really, wishing more time with my family.  

This trip was a reminder of how beautiful a day at the California coast could be, how lovely it is to drink a pumpkin spice latte in the morning with a side of morning fog, how much I miss being out on the lake and wakeboarding (ok I don't think I ever forget that), and the beauty of being able to travel an hour north, south, east or west and be in a completely different place and setting. 

But really, this trip was a reminder that I scored in the family department. 

 I must have been a Mother Theresa type in my past life to have been given such beautiful people to love and grow with. 

And the family is expanding with the addition of Chris- even though since Day 1 it was already a done deal. :)  Couldn't be happier about him and Steph finally tying the knot!

"All conditions are favorable for awakening" 

My "In" List

-In-

World Music 

• check out Angelique Kidjo- a Grammy award winning artist from West Africa. She's a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador and has her own foundation "Batonga"that promotes education for girls in Africa.  Major thumbs up.

Alone Time 

• At the beach, at the park, at your house, wherevs! How often do we take time out of our day to really give time to our own thoughts and needs? We spend much of our energy on other people and obligations. Get selfish and hang out by yourself.    

Caffe Americanos 

• So simple- espresso & water. Stronger than brewed coffee- and can always be made stronger with some added shots of espresso.. or sweet with a single shot of no-sugar added vanilla or hazlenut. 

Commitments & 30 Day Challenges

• My friend Lauren is going for it-  doing a physical activity a day for 30 days straight! Uber-inspiring! Follow her as she blogs about it... 

http://oohlalaz.blogspot.com/

What would your 30 day challenge be?

Himalayan Kitchen

• Not a secret spot to people who live on Oahu but this place is yum yum yum.  Authentic Nepalese & Indian Cuisine located in Kaimuki. Great cultured & relaxed atmosphere- great little spot to bring a group and share food! Added bonus = BYOB no charge! 

Good morning Diamond Head :) 

The taste of freedom is so delectable- I inhale it sweetly as we make our way over the Pali Road early yesterday morning.  Sitting in the passenger seat of Hunter's new 1975 VW Bug, windows rolled down, sun roof open, I can't help but grin like a kid in the candy store, so ecstatic for the full day ahead of us. 

Hunter is stoked that, Goldie, (the car) is making it over the Pali while I am stoked that our first stop is Boots & Kimo's for breakfast!   I am intimidated by their famous banana mac nut pancakes with the mac nut sauce (that I hear is part ice cream?) so I stick to the regular banana pancakes... which seemed to confuser our server slightly... (like wait.. you want banana pancakes? no mac nuts? no sauce? just bananas? YES please!)

The pancakes were delicious and the short stack was just what I needed before continuing our drive to North Shore the long & beautiful scenic route along the coast.  

Kaneohe, Waiahole, Kahana Bay, Hau'ula, La'ie, Kahuku, and pretty soon we are passing Turtle Bay.  

Stopping at Sunset for a swim.. I am thinking..
"Hello Heaven... it's been too long."

My fish of a boyfriend jumps straight into the water with no hesitation while I decide I would rather fry on the beach a bit before I take the dive. 

Sharing one towel, (how did we forget to bring another?) I phase in and out of consciousness before I wake up to the painful sensation of the sun literally turning my skin red.

Ok- time to take the dive.

The water is bliss.  We splash around for a bit before we decide to drive to Haleiwa for lunch.

It is here at Wailua Bakery I decide that I could easily run a shop like this- selling smoothies, sandwiches, acai bowls- chatting up with regulars and tourists... selling hand made jewelry and art from local artists. Ya... I could definitely do this..

and connect it to my yoga studio of course. 

From here it's onto Ka'ena Point.  Knowing that the road to Ka'ena is a straight shot from Haleiwa, I ask Hunter if I can drive.  Now, Goldie is an automatic, and it's been about 6 years since I have driven stick, but I decide that this is a perfect time for me to re-learn! 

Hunter looks hesitant, but being a wonderful supportive boyfriend, he pulls over so we can switch seats.    With butterflies in my stomach and nervousness that I am trying to disguise as confidence I get ready to go from neutral to 1st.  

Whoo hooo no stalling here- which seemed to be my problem 6 years ago so I think I am in the clear.  

Well- overall I grade myself a B... no stalls, but I was able to go from 3rd to neutral on accident a couple times (in my defense it's kinda hard to shift when it so easily slips into neutral- and I think I would have done better had I not felt this crazy nervous energy coming from the passenger seat!) 

I eventually pull back over to switch seats and ask as I am buckling back up, "so you're going to let me practice again right?"

"Ya," says Hunter. "We'll go to a parking lot next time." Im not sure if I should be thankful or insulted? 

I don't ponder for long as my happy brain is reminded of the gorgeous day we are having and we reach Ka'ena Point. 

Someone left us some love :)

Already dreading the thought of heading back into town, I begin taking mental pictures of the country- to embed them in my mind till I can revisit again. 

Till my next day off.... 

Aloha nui loa ♥ 

I love when I stumble upon quotes that directly reflect something I am going though in life.  I ran across this as I was researching new classes in the community that lululemon has tapped into yet. I am looking at this kickboxing website, which turns out to not just be a kickboxing class, but a class that combines kickboxing, boxing, and martial arts. Sick!  So I am feeling completely ready to dive into my first boxing class and morph into a female version of Bruce Lee when I read a quote in the upper hand corner of the page.. 

"When the mind is not confined anywhere- it is everywhere" 

I couldn't help but laugh because this describes me perfectly.  I LOVE trying new things- I am an adventurist at heart and the demon named FEAR is really like a group of gorgeous butterflies fluttering around waiting for me to (no support to Nike here.. ) but JUST DO IT. 

But this is the way my mind thinks- I see things that inspire and interest me and I am quick to grab a friend and try it.  My focus, especially in the past year since I graduated has been nothing short of an A.D.D prognosis.

In school- it was easy. Too easy- My targets were clear and mapped out. 

.School- volleyball- Intership- work.

Repeat.

So all of a sudden school is pau and I have ALL this time to explore, investigate, and question and do whatever my mind wants- go wherever my heart takes me.  And literally- I feel like I have gone everywhere, while only physically leaving the island a few times.  

It was only after school that I realized how much of a wander my mind is... Like the quote says, if my mind doesn't have a focus- it is EVERYWHERE.  This is why one minute I will be wanting to take Kung Fu (inspired by the remake of Karate kid) another minute I will be wanting to start my teacher training for yoga, and the next I am thinking about taking a year off to go travel. 

Reading this quote was a nice reminder to stop and prioritize things in my life and my goals.  To focus and hone in on the things that I truly want, because that is the only way I am going to see results.  If I keep allowing my mind to bounce back and forth, never making absolute decisions- how am I supposed to grow?

Monday

 A Monday.. that began on a Sunday.. and me posing the question of.. "WOW, my first day off in 13 days? What am I going to do tomorrow?"

Answer: EASY. Get out of Town! 

Thoughts of North Shore rush through my head as I imagine empty beaches, calm summer waters, and a stop to Haleiwa Eats for some mad thai food on the way home.  Monday rolls around- and the forecast shows me nothing but rain- but with a high of 85 of course. P.S. this ALWAYS happens on my one day off. 

Change action plan. 

Already secured my adventure partner. Kat will be joining me on my journey which is perfect. Like me, she is go with the flow, sail with the wind, down for anything. check. check. check. 

So Monday rolls around- North Shore  shows rain, thinking about Kailua or China Walls when I receive a text from Kat saying... "maybe go holo holo to La'ie?"

DONE. 

45 minutes later I have filled up the car and am picking Kat up for a day with no itinerary- except for that we have books to read, skin that needs sun, and a thirst for something different. 

Stopping in Kaneohe for Leonards malasadas and coffee... make that coffee/cappuccino in a can... aka 11 or so ounces of pure crack.. and we are back on the road feeling the high of caffeine hit us with intensity.  Making a quick stop at the Mac Nut farm (I had never been) we sample some amazing tasty mac nuts, talk to some guys from the UK strictly because we liked their accent, and are back on the road. 

Stopping at Kahana Bay for a dip in the water, some reading, and a cat nap for me *meow* we drive farther north till we hit Tamura's.

STOP- Poke and blueberry beer please. 

We take our lunch and head to La'ie point- where we sit on the cliffs for hours- 

meeting tourists who have come from California and New York- posing for pictures, taking pictures, jumping off cliffs (tanks for da reef shoes ;), stopping every now and again to look at each other and say, "We live here?!" Fully appreciating every second of the day and what it has brought us so far. 

Before we know it,  the sun is moving farther to the west and Kat looks at me and says, "You wanna go home?"

"Ya," I respond with a tired but happy smile.  I am ready.  We pack our things and begin the beautiful drive back along the coast to town.