Saschathon

Friday, October 1, 2010

Have I ever shown you...

...my ship collection? Oh you didn't know that I was that weird? Yes, I'm nerdy enough that I get excited about ships. But I don't collect just any old ship, they have to be cruise liners. This past week, I saw three of them--Carnival, Sapphire Princess and the Rotterdam--and took a picture to add to my collection. What? You thought for a second that I literally had a physical collection of miniature models of these bad boys, didn't you? Don't worry, I'm not that far gone. Close, but not that weird, thanks. Anyway, here's my collection...I don't remember all of their names so....yeah. Enjoy!

I think this is a NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) ship...they do a week long island-hopping tour and visit the four main islands...I think.

Not quite sure if she qualifies as a ship...but she was big enough to add to my collection.

Comes from the Holland America Cruise fleet (plain white cylinder "chimney" gives her away)...Probably the Rotterdam. She frequents Hawaii often.

Same as above...the next day.

This was a floating island...I think this is the NCL Pride of America...I recognize the flag on the "chimney"...stop judging me!

This is a Carnival. You can tell by the red "tail"

You can't really see her, but she's called the Sapphire Princess. HUGE ship, but prettiest so far.


Rotterdam's back.

I thought she was the Rotterdam...

But then I read the side and she's called Volendam...looks like shes from the same Holland America fleet.

Close up.

Today I went to visit the tattoo shop with Seychelle to see how her bf, Kealoha's neck tattoo was going. As I looked around the room I noticed a few interesting things so I decided to shared these. This painting looks like an elderly couple's profile but if you look closely you can also see a young woman being serenaded by a young man.

As I looked to the other side of the room, I noticed a glass jar sitting on the shelf. As I leaned in for a closer inspection I realized that there was an reptile in it. "Is that a snake?" I asked. Much to my horror and fascination, the tattoo artist replied that there's "three baby cobras in there...it's alcohol. Like the kind that you drink." He explained that it's a hard liquor from Vietnam and that yes, he's tried it before but that it's strong enough to do some major damage to your liver. A second tattoo artist, working on a customer nearby added that he's tried the liquor prematurely once. He had been in Vietnam and had gotten drank enough to say "hey, if the people here can do it then so can I." Unfortunately for him and everyone around him, he opened up a bottle that was only a week in to a process that normally takes about two years to complete. He said that the shot he took didn't make it past his tongue and he spit it out. "It tasted exactly how it looked and smelled--like dead, rotting snakes," he said. He also mentioned that the smell stayed for a week because it was just that potent. When I asked if it would always smell that way, he said no, the alcohol neutralizes the smell and it tasted like a very strong liquor. The pictured bottle contains three baby cobras and a several smaller snakes, one which is actually in the top cobra's mouth....*shiver*

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

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.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

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).