How was your Thanksgiving? Our family had a great time in Waipahu celebrating with Keao’s family. This year, I was in charge of bringing the turkey so I decided to try a different recipe. Rather than do a wet brine, I tried a dry brine (although technically I heard it’s more accurately a salt-cure). I’m not going to lie, I was a little skeptical because I couldn’t imagine how a coating of salt and seasoning could make the turkey moist…
Recently Keao and I noticed that our 3 year-old, Slugger, loves to perform. She started preschool last month and because of that her repertoire of songs has grown considerably. Of course, she doesn’t like to perform without an audience. Before she starts singing, she always makes sure someone is watching. In fact, if you’re not watching, she will get your attention and exclaim, “watch me Daddy!” After she is sure she has your complete, undivided attention, the show will start. …
When I was a senior in high school, I tried out for the varsity baseball team. Despite not having played any kind of organized baseball since Little League, I figured I was a good enough athlete to make a go at it. When the day of the tryout arrived, I stared nervously at the other students that were trying out as well. Many of them had played baseball for a while and looking around, clearly I was at a disadvantage. …
Over the past 7 years, I have been blessed to be a part of many weddings. I have probably officiated close to a hundred weddings and wedding vow renewals. From experience, I can tell you that being a part of someone’s special day never gets old. I love to hear how couples met or when they fell in love because those are the moments that define our lives. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet and marry an incredible couple. …
Having worked in Waikiki for many years and having gone to many luaus, the one food we tell every tourist to try is poi. For those of you not familiar with poi, it’s the mashed up root of the taro plant. It kind of has the consistency of wallpaper paste, and some will even tell you that it tastes like it too. Personally, I like poi, but I don’t love it. I’m the guy that sneaks in a little sugar…
You always think that chickens are such mild-mannered, docile birds, but left to their own devices, they are cold-blooded killers. Yesterday, I came outside to see my sweet, peace-loving chickens tearing apart a small bird they killed. Don’t believe me? Here’s a short video as proof. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4hpL62tVdY&w=560&h=315]
Even though I have lived in Hawaiʻi my whole life, like so many locals, there are many things that are published in the tourist books that I have never done. I have never been to Mānoa Falls, I hiked Diamond Head only once in my life in elementary school and I didn’t visit the Arizona Memorial until college. Last night, I crossed off Friday night fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village off my list. Keao and I had a rare…
Wow, has it really been over a year and a half since I’ve blogged anything? It’s not for a lack of content I tell ya, it has been sheer laziness on my part. In future posts I’ll try to get you caught up but for now I will tell you about my day. Today, for the first time, I got to attend a Marine retirement ceremony. I always knew it was a big deal but I definitely didn’t realize what…
Happy New Year! Whew, I can’t believe how quickly 2011 passed. It seems like it went by in such a hurry. Well, here we are in 2012 and I know I missed a whole bunch of blogging in 2011 so here’s a quick year in review. 2011 was a year of many firsts for us. We got to see many new things and experience many new experiences individually and as a family. Here are a few of my favorites. One…
For the past couple of days Slugger has been taking a hesitant step or two. Usually she’s near the couch or near an adult and she’ll slowly venture out and take a few steps. Sometimes she makes it and sometimes she drops to her butt and sits down. But either way, it has just been one or two steps. That all changed Tuesday night. For the longest time, we were both eagerly awaiting the day when Slugger would walk and…