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!

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!