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.

Out & About

Normally, I would profusely apologize for take a month hiatus but that would just sound like my last update so I'll just get straight to the point...here's some pictures...*ahem* sorry, I meant TONS of pictures :)...try to keep up if you can:

First, let me start by saying Engrish is awesome. If you can't read what's written, it says "Mixican Red Peppers"

I'm sure it's just because the cactus didn't translate as a "y" but this was still pretty awesome.

Btw, I wonder what ume cactus honey tastes like...

Vicki, Salena and I went to a new restaurant called "Hot Pot Heaven..."

And that we were...yum!

We went to the new dessert store next door after we ate...it was called snow.

It looks like there's more than you'd think...It was very light and I almost prefered it to ice cream...

...That is, until I went for a scoop of ice cream with Brent right after at Bubbie's

Besides the awesome ice cream, I love the awesomely creeptastic names of their ice cream cakes...like "come here little girl"

 I got to enjoy a sushi party at a family friend's place. they had all sorts of great sushi making things and we got to make our own sushi....you get surprisingly full off of this.

 They also served up very expensive wine...it was pretty delicious.

 Brent taught a class for "National Dance Day" at the Boys & Girls Club

 Then we went for shave ice!

 As always, Waiola's is ever crowded but soooo worth the wait.

 Brent and I checked out a new store at Ala Moana called Q-Pot. They sell intensely intricate jewelry and accessories with a food theme. The Golden Burger is a pendant that you get to customize by putting together any of the toppings....crazy!

  The layout looks more like a sweet shop than a jewelry store.

 That night, Brent, me, Salena, my momma and MakKen went to Los Chapparos for some mexican. Apparently, Brent was craving a taco salad..

Ironically, Brent ordered a HUGE burrito instead but the food was delicioso!

We got churros for dessert!

 I think this was a Sunday: My momma, Salena and I went for a drive to Kailua...

 ...in order to meet up with MakKen for brunch (at 1pm).  I guess others had the same idea because we ended up waiting for an hour.

 The crazy thing was that the restaurant's closing time is 230p...and it was still this busy!

 If you were wondering if the food was worth it, it absolutely was!

 On First Friday, I babysat! Just kidding,

 We went to our first First Friday event at the Hawaii State Art Museum in Downtown.

 They had live entertainment and a lot of food booths. It was cool to see the mix of people gathered.

Entrance to HiSAM

 They had a little cafe inside the place called Downtown.

 We learned that although they're only opened for lunch, once a month (during First Friday), Downtown does a Latin tapas-style dinner menu.

 Obviously, we had to try the food...I mean it's only opened once a month! Here's lamb on couscous.

 Here's a risotto with sausage. Both delicious!

 August 10th was Hiroyo's birthday! 

 So we all went to dinner at Tanaka of Tokyo.

 Hi mom!

 Artistic angle.

 Gang's all here!

Tonight I went to my first bonodori (Bon Festival) in a long time. My momma and sister got dressed up...as did I :)

 Although it was a different atmosphere from the ones I had been to in Japan, the bonodori here was just as lively and much more diverse!

It was cool to see others get dressed for the occassion and even cooler to see visitors trying out the dance. 

They had food stalls...this really made me miss Japan. I haven't been back in years :(

 They even sold masks like they do in Japan...

And yes, my sister got one.

 I heart my family!