Stocking Stuffer

First quote from the book "Santa" aka mom and dad left me in my stocking this year...

"Let your boat of life be light, packed with only what you need- a homely home and simple pleasures, one of two friends worth the name, someone to love and someone to love you, a cat, a dog, and a pipe or two, enough to eat and enough to wear, and a little more than enough to drink, for thirst is a dangerous thing." - Jerome Klapka Jerome

Can tell I am going to like this book already. Will let you know how the rest goes. =)
Aloha

4 Noble Truths

Byodo Temple at the Valley of Temples- Kaneohe, HI

"We become mindful by abandoning our expectations about the way we think things should be and, out of our mindfulness, we begin to develop awareness about the way things really are. We begin to develop the insight that things are really quite simple, that we can handle ourselves, and our relationships, very well as soon as we stop being so manipulative and complex."

getting ready for the holidays :)

I cannot WAIT until Christmas. Living on a tropical island this time of year where the temperature drops to a low 65 degrees at night does not exactly bring about the same Holiday spirit as if I were on the mainland. In an effort to change this, Dana and I spent the day cleaning and listening to holiday music and then decorating the house with Christmas decorations =) To the right is our mini tree that has replaced the spot our television (that we never watch) used to sit. We put a big red bow on the door, got a yummy smelling wreath for the coffee table & some x-mas lights to hang on our lanai. The countdown to Christmas begins... but really the date I am most looking forward to is December 23rd when I will be back in Hollister and surrounded by Ohana (Note to dad: please have fireplace ready!)

T-minus: 22 days till California

What did you put in the Tofurkey?

Meet Walter Topper....My new traveling buddy.

Born: November 25th, 2002

Place: Kenya, East Africa

Hobbies include; swimming in the watering hole, chasing after gazelles, watching butterflies, yoga, playing harmonica, and President and active member of Leaf Lovers Association.

Tonight Walter joined Dana, Jeff & I for Thanksgiving dinner. (Ya, my 2nd... in a slight food coma as I am writing this) Major difference- Tonight's dinner was all vegan... complete with Tofurkey! With low expectations for the tofurkey- we were all pleasantly surprised at how it tasted.... even though it kinda looked like a brain. Jeff made an amazing pumpkin pie for desert with raisins, walnuts, coconut, cinnamon, and banana with a side of organic/gluten free/dairy-free vanilla ice cream to cap off my two day eating fest. Cheers to the holidays!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Godson Drew! I cannot believe it was 3 years ago I was driving to Visalia to be there the moment he came into this world =)

"Love is as love does. Love is an act of will--namely, both an intention and an action. Will also implies choice. We do not have to love. We choose to love. Everything that happens in life is there to aid our spiritual growth. The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." - Scott Peck

Giving Thanks

In celebration of Thanksgiving, I am sharing a list of things I am thankful for…. the obvious and random, the complex and simple, the beautiful, inspiring, and everything in between. This list could go on and on...

1.) The Obvious and most important- My family. There are multiple definitions for “family” in the dictionary and mine is a mix of them all. My family consists of blood and of chosen. An extended Ohana I would do anything for.

2.) The Universe & the opportunities it has bestowed upon me. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

3.) My health- physical and mental, which serves and allows me to do so much everyday without me giving it a second thought.

4.) Flowers….. especially tiger lilies.

5.) Tahoe time in the summer with my family

6.) Yoga- & absorbing all of it’s benefits.

7.) Finding inspiration anywhere & everywhere from anything everyday!

8.) Mother Nature & the wonderful gifts she offers. From the ocean, to the mountains, valleys and deserts, plains, hills, country, cities, jungles, or icebergs- all encompass beauty.

9.) DANCE- feeling the music, moving to the beats, and getting completely lost in the moment.

10.) Love- unconditional love, platonic love, pure love, physical love, puppy love, lasting love, paternal love, compassionate love, spiritual love, TRUE LOVE.

11.) A homemade chai tea latte in the morning

12.) Rising with the sun

13.) Nourishing and serving my mind, body & spirit

14.) Powerful, meaningful, understood connection.

15.) Real & Authentic emotion-whether it be anger, happiness, excitement sadness whatever. As long as its sincere and honest.

16.) MUSIC

17.) Thought provoking conversation

18.) Noticing the growth and strength in a relationship that has already withstood so much.

19.) Hawaii – the people, the aina, the ocean, the music, the history, the tradition, the beauty, the moments where I stop and say, Wow I live here… the list goes on and on.

20.) Getting a text message from my mom

21.) Positive people and energy.

22.) Truth & Honesty

23.) QUOTES. QUOTES. QUOTES.

24.) A really good book on a rainy day

25.) Big Sur Coastline

26.) An early morning wakeboard sesh with Papa bear on a flat & empty lake

27.) A competitive game of yahtzee with my sisters. (Well actually it’s just Erin that gets feisty)

28.) Mimosas with girlfriends

29.) The ability to capture a defining moment in a picture

30.) Spontaneity & living in the moment

31.) Hugs that never end

32.) Menchies (frozen yogurt) for dinner

33.) A day beginning and ending with laughter and a smile

34.) Meeting people from all over the world, with different thoughts, perspectives, cultures, traditions, feelings, points of view, upbringings and finding that one thing that draws you together.

35.) Hearing a classic rock song that brings back memories of growing up

36.) A glass of red accompanied by crackers, brie, & grapes.

37.) Having one experience with someone that can bond you for life.

38.) Deep lung filling breathes that remind me to slow down

39.) Golden Doodles. They are so freakin adorable.

40.) Full body massages

41.) Tradewinds

42.) A sunset that stops you dead in your tracks

43.) Exploring the islands and finding hidden jems.

44.) Sex & the City reruns

45.) Relaxing in the park under a tree

46.) TRAVEL- Seeing the world! Appreciating the diversity of this world and the people, places & cultures.

47.) My bed after a long day

48.) Fresh fruit in the morning after a run and hot shower.

49.) Making lists of things I am thankful for to remind me how blessed I am.

50.) Today. Right now. This moment.

"Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?"
- Frank Scully