My babe's going to China!

Wahhhhhhhhhh~!!!!! Brent's leaving me......for a WHOLE month!

*Sigh*


  If you're wondering if I'm having separation anxiety or if I've been pouting about this like a clingy girlfriend you're absolutely...No. Pshaw, why would I --psh, I mean, ugh, separation angst...and I don't pout, OK? Just so we're clear I'm not in the least bit upset about the fact that I'm not going with him to China. Not at all. Definitely not being clingy girlfriend at all either....I mean horde him for a whole weekend, who does that? And unexpectedly showing up at his rehearsals? Please...I'm a big girl.....No, I'm not....Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....my baby's leaving me....!!!!!!!

  Hhhh...Now that I've got that out out of my system...Let's be slightly more serious. If I must make excuses for myself, I will readily admit that I haven't been away from him for this long since he lived in LA....a few years ago. It's making me a little anxious about the time difference and the Skype calls. And besides, he won't even land in China until 2am my time, which means that this first day he's gone is going to make me want to bite my nails all day and be logged on Skype at all times. Yes, he hasn't left yet but he will be leaving in less than 3 days...*Sigh* I mean, sure he gets to perform at that World Expo in Shanghai and sure he'll be teaching and networking and having lots of fun shopping and all that while he's up there and yeah, this is a great opportunity for him and it'll open up more doors for his teaching and dancing career but my point is that I don't get to go...so boo.

  Oops....I meant to be serious. But seriously, I'm not complaining too much. Actually, I'm very proud of him for doing this because it's taking him in the direction of his dreams of pursuing a dance-centric career. Brent's always been the type of guy who methodically and strategically plans things in life so I'm glad that this opportunity literally swept him off his feet and gave him a challenge that's a bit more unorthodox from his norm (in plain English: He's been forced to be spotaneous and I think it's great). I also feel like this group he's going the China with--seven other dancers from seven different backgrounds--is both a really great bunch and difficult in that Brent is having to adapt to their style and they to his. I feel that by working with a group of very diverse personalities, it'll help him to find his bearings as a choreographer and a dancer even more so. I think a timely opportunity and I'm glad to he that he's risen to the occassion but it doesn't mean that I'm not going to miss him....bleh.

Anyway, here's a few pictures from this month to cheer me, I mean, you up. Enjoy!

yacht harbor by Hawaii Prince Hotel in Waikiki

Kapalawai Cafe in Kailua....YUM!

more Kapalawai Cafe

Momma and Salena

my two sleepyheads

Awww kissyface

plum + apricots = plumcots. Still need to try one.

It's ridiculous how much we eat....Sweet Home Cafe.

Hot Pot Heaven.

Panya @ Ala Moana

Hale Vietnam, Kaimuki.

kenkun!!!! @ Tairyo.

big onigiri @ Tairyo.

Oh that's just my bf dancing and looking cool in hipstamatic lighting.

Didjamissme?

I sure hope so, because I know I missed you! Now, I could update you on the random things that have happened in the past couple of weeks, like how a post-bath Harada looks more like a wet rat than a cat,

Or how I went to Aranacino's for lunch with family friends, my mom and Brent,

and how after lunch, I saw a Waikiki trolley reppin' my favorite anime, "One Piece,"

(Just so you know what to look for when you google "One Piece" later),

Or even how I saw awesome stores named "Anytime Cafe" next door to yet another new restaurant Brent called "Ph Kitchen" (pronounced "fff").

I could also fill you in on how Brent and I went to a new Thai-style shabu shabu restaurant called "Shabu Shabu Bangkok,"

And tried their delicious Tom Yum broth (we also ordered a chicken broth),

or how I was invited to a 3 year-old's birthday party with Vicki,

And later went to eat a late lunch at Mariposa restaurant in Neiman Marcus...

(with great food, might I add)

I could tell you all of this, but I have much more important news to tell you...

First of all, I saw a really nice rainbow at Ala Moana Beach Park when I went there for a Full Moon night yoga lesson (by the way, I'm hooked. I plan to go every full moon night, if posible).

Second of all, Salena lost her first tooth. Here's a before pic,

and here's an after.

Also, just as importantly, Brent performed at a collaborative dance show called The Movement with Hype 5-O and Poreotics as headlining acts. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures of the show, but if you go to Brent's new website @ BrentKoki.com,he'll be posting a clip of his performance soon.

Believe it or not, I have yet even better news...are you really for this? It's Brent's birthday weekend! Woo~hoo! And being the fantastic girlfriend that I am, I decided to surprise him with a Five-Star seven-course French dinner cruise on Star of Honolulu.Well, almost surprised him. Jermaine accidentally asked him if he was excited about the cruise just as we were getting ready to drive over to the surprise destination. Brent asked, "what cruise?"...awwwww....so close! It's okay though, I knew it wasn't intentional and Brent assured me that he still had no clue where we were going. When we finally got there, I got a "Omg, you're crazy!" hee hee hee...Like I always say, if you're going to do something, you might as well do it all the way, right?

Pre-boarding entertainment

 hors d'oeuvres on the top deck.

Look at that handsome guy. Yes, I've successfully converted him into an iPaparazzi.

Chilled Hau’ula Tomato Soup Trio...it was good, but I'm not much of a raw tomato fan. Pretty colors though!

Pineapple Avocado Terrine...Unfortunately, I'm allergic to pineapples so I had to move them to Brent's plate, but the rest of the salad was delicious (yes, even with the raw tomatoes).

Poached Live Maine Lobster...yum...

Brent's also allergic to seafood (we're a high maintance couple), so I pre-ordered him a chicken course. I know, I think of everything, right?

Intermezzo--Rose Water Sorbet. It was really sweet and also refreshing.

 After the sorbet, we took a break and walked on the deck to enjoy the view. Waikiki and sail boats in hipstamatic mode.

Front of the ship.

Awesomely romantical sunset.

Prime Tenderloin of Beef...to. die. for.

Strawberry Mango Pâte à Choux with Bordeaux cherry ice cream.

After dinner jazz entertainment.

The Aloha Tower at night, back at the pier.

If you ever want to get a "best birthday present ever!" (like I did),  I highly recommend going on a dinner cruise like the Star of Honolulu.

A great view of Diamond Head.

Us and the captain....must be an awkward part of the job...having to do photo opts with guests.

Happy Birthday, Babe!