My Best Friend

My sister took this photo. It's been one of my favorite photos.


As many of you already know that I am very close to my sister. She is my real best friend. She is not afraid to say when I am wrong or when I am right. Even though she's younger than me, she's my rock.

She was here in Florida visiting us for three days on the way back to Hawaii after two weeks of business trip in Paris and NYC. I was really really happy that I got to spend time with her, staying up late and catching up and absorbing all the love - it's like I was recharging my batteries...

It's been two weeks since she left and finally I'm able to write this post. It took me long time because it was hard for me to see all the photos that we took together. I wish we live closer. I miss her so much...


Shopping at my favorite spot, St. Armands Circle in SRQ

JuJu & Sis

My sister's favorite girls on the planet

Forget my face, but look closely, JuJu is it. That's my girl!!! LOL

When I show this pic to my mom-in-, she told me, "I thought who would

take pictures sticking their heads to this when I was there last week..

Well, it was you guys..." LOL


And my sis.. She is the best!!!

My Own Nip Tuck Moment - Loving your imperfect self-

Thanks so much for all the well wishes, everyone!!!

I indeed had a cold, not allergies. After I published the previous post, I was attacked by a very mean cold, I ran some fever (which was very rare for me) and almost died (or at least that's what I thought it's going to happen). I took a shot of Tylenol "Cough & Sore Throat" medicine (honey lemon, but the taste is horrible).

Thank god, I was ready for it and bought the medicine before I got really sick - the medicine helped me tremendously.. Now after a few days, I feel totally fine(85%).

Anyway.

Here is the thing. Today's post is kind of raw and this is going to be a very honest, but short post that I will pour myself out. So be ready, okay?

Since I was a cute teenager (LOL), I've had my own insecurity about the size of my breast. I was a short track runner during middle/high school, so it was okay not having them. They would just get in my way. But you know, as you get older and mature, and by the time you realze you do want the perky breast, it was too late.

I can say that I have a nice body, very curvy body except I have very small boobies. Although I was not happy about my size, I was very content and sort of accepted the fact that it's my body and I had to live with them.

I met my husband who truly loved me for who I am - he has told me repeatedly that the size of my breast doesn't matter, that he loves me because I have a beautiful soul. So sweet, JT....

When I got pregnant with my oldest daughter and during nursing her, my breast size went from A to full C. People may not believe this, but it's true. I have a photo to prove it, but I can't post it on here - it would be a pornography? Right? I took the pic thinking, "This won't last, so I have to document it.." LOL

Then my second daughter Soapy arrived, my size went down to size B. Then six months ago or so, I finally weaned her and went back to my original size A... And now, they look smaller than ever. It happens to many moms who breastfed their babies that their breast totally go flat. Mine totally deflated....

So truth be told. I hate the way I look right now. I look at myself in the mirror and all I see is my non-existant breast. And I'm considering about getting the job done.

People always say, "You dont' need them. You are gorgeous." or "Why do you want to subject yourself to that?" My sister hates the fact that I even have the nerve to bring the subject up. She wouldn't understand it because she doesn't have my problem. My parents were also against it, but my mom remembered how I used to hate my size and how it has affected my insecurity, she talked to my dad and they are now supportive.

Somehow, plastic surgery has this stigma where people often say, "Oh did you know, so and so had the procedure done?" or "I can't believe she/he went under the knife.." It's funny how people talk if she has small chest, they'd say, "She is flat" - but then if someone has boob jobs, they'd say, "She has fake ones." It seems nobody is happy and loves to talk. I used to be one of them. I've never thought I would be the one who wants it. I still go back and forth whether if I want to do it or not, but I'm coming closer to the point where I am going to do it. I may change my mind again next week, but more and more I see myself in the mirror, I want to change the part of me that I don't like.

Many people may disagree and hate what I am talking about it right now. People may think I'm shallow. I know getting the procedure done won't give me a perfect body or make me the perfect Maki. But it would gives me something that I've never felt before - being comfortable in my own skin. Well, it wouldn't be my own skin anymore if I do it, but still it gives me some sense of peace. That I don't have to hide anymore...

And I think I can't wait to have that peace......

When You're Feeling Crappy...

I think I'm getting sick. My throat is hurting or I should say itchy.. This could well be from allergy, but who knows...

But when I feel crappy, I tend to listen to good music and think about my home, Hawaii. I just miss my friends and family.....


"Surfer Girl" By The Beach Boys....

This Is Why I love Our New Commander In Chief

President Obama made the appearance on Jay Leno show last night: the first active president to ever appeared on live talk show...

I grew up in Hawaii. He grew up in Hawaii. That's why I feel tremendous connection with him even though he has no idea who I am...

But how cool is this man?

I love him...

Let's pray and hope that our future turns around for better even though it may take a while... I know it will happen!!!

Have faith, be hopeful and keep moving forward, America!!!

Have a lovely weekend!!!

What Would You Do?

My husband and I watch ABC's What Would You Do? togehter every week. The program is to show how peoeple react to certain situations that are endangering other's safety; will people step in to help or walk away???

And I must tell you, this program has made me cry many times. It's maybe easier to say than done, but many people do walk away when they see people needing their help.

One of the segments tonight, they showed three guys lynching a Hispanic guy (thank god, they are all actors) on the street corner. They filmed the incident two days period and more than 90 people passed by. 15 people called police and only 4 people stepped in to break up the lynch. Two of them were female. They were so courageous.

When I see the program, I always ask the same question to myself: What would I do if I see someone getting hurt or in trouble??? And I thought about one incident that I actually helped a girl when I was in Tokyo, Japan.

I was 19 years old and visiting my parents in Tokyo for the summer. I went out with my friend for lunch in Shinjuku district. Shinjuku is where I grew up before moving to Hawaii and has plenty of fun things to do, but is also known to have red light district.

Anyway, I was standing on the street corner waiting for the light to turn green when I spotted a girl (probablly about the same age as me at the time) who was picked up by this scary looking man who was holding flyers to a brothel. He could totally be a soldier for Yakuza (japanese mafia) - he was grabbing her arm and trying to take her to the red light district.

I couldn't take my eyes off her even though the light turned green and it was time for me to walk across the street. My friend asked me, "what's wrong?" and I told her the girl was in trouble. I didn't know what to do, but I could see that she needed a help. Othewise, what's going to happen to her? My friend kept telling me not to do anything. I'm going to get hurt, but I told her, "I am going in..." and I heard her saying, "Stop, don't!!" to my back.

Now, I didn't know exactly what to do or how to defuse the situation, but once I got to where the girl was, the guy looked at me like, "What do you want?"

Me: (to the girl) Hey, so sorry, I was late... (with a huge smile and grabbed her arm)
The guy: What?
Me: Excuse me, she is my friend. She was waiting for me.
The guy: Don't lie (and looked at the girl who's almost in tears)
Me: No, really. Sorry, sir, but I need her back now...
The guy: Are you sure, you know her?
Me: Of course, she is my friend. We're going to have lunch. Are you okay? (to the girl)
The guy: Damn it, then go on..

My heart was pounding fast and I still remember holding the girl's arm so tightly - I was scared to death, too!!!! When I saw my friend looking on, I ran and told her, "walk fast with us and smile!!!!"

Now the girl, me and my friend ran across the street hand in hand until we couldn't see the guy. When we realized it was safe for us, I looked at my friend and the girl. And I said, "well, we're all safe now!" - the girl thanked me like million times and we said goodbye. My friend was pissed though. She told me I did the right thing, but I was stupid to even putting myself in the situation that I could easily get myself either hurt or killed.

Many people may not know this, but there are many bad people who think hurting innocent people are nothing. And messing with Yakuza or their soldiers is the last thing you want to do in Japan.... I told my mom about what happened when I went home and oh my god, she was livid. She taught me and my sister to be kind to others and help people in need, but it was definitely one of those things she would never want her daughters to get themselves involved.

When I helped the girl, I didn't do it to be famous or because I wanted to be a heroine. It was something that I thought I had to do without thinking about the consequences. I might have been naive or clueless with reality, but when you see something like that, you just couldn't live with yourself if you didn't do anything to help.

Thanks God, I haven't encountered another situation like that since then, but I would probablly do the same again.

So, what about you ladies? Have you ever done anything to help someone in trouble or has some stranger helped you when you're in trouble??

clicke here to see "What Would You Do?"

One Fine Day & Sunday Music Choice..

Last Thursday, we drove down to Naples, FL to see my husband's best friend from high school. JT's best friend D flew down from NJ with his family for his brother's 40th birthday party - D's parents spend winter time in FL and they all decided to spend time together for the wonderful occasion.


It's funny how we hadn't seen each other almost a year and a half, but it didn't feel like it at all once we saw each other's faces.


We spent the whole afternoon - evening by the pool and beach, watching our kids play together. JT & D are good buddies and D's parents and family always welcome us with open arms. There were D and his wife and their two kids, D's parents, D's younger brother and his wife, D's younger sister , her husband and their little baby boy and us family. I've always loved spending time with them because they are genuinely kind, loving and wonderful people - they make us feel part of their family.

D's wife D also has become one of my great friends - she is super super nice and I love her. Actually, me and her walked down the beach together talking about our life and catching up while our husbands watched the kids play.

I took the photos above when our children (age 8 - 3) decided to hop on the wood that was left on the beach. I thought the pictures were beautiful and show how wonderful our time was that day.. I was so grateful and remember saying over and over again how happy I was. The littel things make me feel compelete these days...

After the beach, we headed to D's parents' condo to have dinner and some drink - we really had a blast and I was truly grateful that we're surrounded by the people we love so dearly...


Today's Sunday Music Choice:

"American Suitehearts" by Fall Out Boy. I don't know why, but I love listening to this song while driving in the car, window down, turn the volume Up, Up, Up and sing out loud while feelng the wind blowing to my face on on the way to the beach on sunny days. This song brings me up when I'm feeling blue...






And the song called "Until I Wake Up" by Dishwalla...
This song is totally one of my favorite favorite songs (I couldn't find any clip on Youtube except this one...) - I used to listen to this song late at night looking at the stars. It is truly a beautiful song in my book. It totally makes me wanting to fly to the moon and disappear into the space...




I hope you're having a beautiful weekend!

Spring Is Here...

It was gorgeous day in Florida today... So I decided to go for a run with my girls pushing the stroller. I do it once a week when the weather is nice and run for 3 miles with my girls; from our house to a nearest shopping plaza and back.

Usually, my oldest Ju Ju rides her bicycle (and she has no training wheels now) and Soapy is in her stroller as I push and run, except Ju Ju's toe was hurt, she couldn't pedal today. So I had to push two girls in the stroller which was rough!!! I couldn't believe how easy it is when Ju Ju rides her own bicycle.

Anyway.

As we were running the street, we realized the sprinkler was going full force in front of us. Bunch of sprinklers were spraying water and the girls and I were laughing so hard as we ran through it... The girls were screaming for joy and oh, it was really cute.

They said, "Mommy, one more time!" - Of course I said no...

But, because it was soooo hot when we got to the plaza, I decided to take the girls to Rita's to have some Italian ice. We got two chocolate ice. Ju Ju and I shared a cup and Soapy? She finished the whole thing all by herself!!! She was soo proud and her mommy? Not so much because it was very sweet and all the sugar she ate made her mommy nervous. But we had a very nice time... This is when I feel the happiest.

Oh by the way, we were able to run through the sprinklers again on the way back. Yay! LOL

Aw spring time is here, at least here in Florida..

I hope spring is coming to your way very soon, too, and warm your heart...

Say,"Icceeeee!!!"

Mommy, this ice is so good...

I don't even know why I took this photo.
I guess I just wanted to show you how long (short) my legs are.. LOL

Hey Jason Look Out! Your Ex-Fiance Is Back w/ Vengeance & Full of Grace...

One of my favorite TV series premiered tonight with a big surprise!!!

I love {Dancing with the Stars} because I love to dance and it always makes me want to become a professional ball dancer even though it will never happen. It amazes me how those dancers can move their bodies and how fit they are. My daughters and I gather in front of the TV every week and dance together as we watch the contestants compete. I love the music they play during the show, too.

So, two of the original contestants, Jewel and Nancy O'Dell has fallen out from the contest and my favorite girl Melissa from the infamous Bachelor has taken Nancy O'Dell's spot. I didn't know about this until the TV host mentioned her name and I looked up, there she was in the beautiful costume!!

Apparently, she decided to join the team and just started the training past Saturday which gave her and her partner Tony Dovolani only two days to get it together. And they did a wonderful job. It's silly, but actually, I cried a it because I know all the things she had gone through for the past few months.

I must admit it was a great show tonight.. Do you watch the show, my dears?


Here are my 3 favorite pick.

Steve-O

He has been trying to lead a better life after all the craziness. He says he is sober now which is a great thing and he didn't fool around a bit while he performed. I give him a ton of credit for trying and I hope he can continue on. And I loved the fact that his friends Johnny Knoxville was there to cheer on; like a father who was so nervous to see his son perform. lol.

Chuck WicksI'm not a big fan of Country music except some love songs. But he is cute. That's the only reason why I'm rootin for him. I know that's bad.. but really, he was cute!

Melisa
I don't believe she will be the champion, but I think she may stay in the heat for a long time and I hope she does. She looked really pretty in the blue dress while she danced. She truly deserves all the happiness and I am very excited that she is in the show. Go Melissa!!!

And Jason. He is a real Douche - I'm telling you. I used to like him and rooting for him because of what happened to him on the Bachelorette, but after what he did to Melissa, more I see him on TV smiling, it makes me gag. I can't stand him.

I am totally rooting for this girl. Going through such an embarrassing breakup on national tv, and yet she still knows how to smile. She is so cute!!!

Something I Need To Learn & Sunday Music Choice

Okay, here is the thing...

I realized now that me haven't been posting on my blogs has nothing to do with blogging funk. It has to do a lot with my schedule with work, trying to start my own business and being a good mother and wife to my family which have contributed for me to have more less blogging time.

A lot of people can multi-task which I am not so good at. If I blog, my whole evening has to be spent on blogging. I have tried to blog about two hours each night, but forget it, it's not happening. I always ended up spending a lot longer than two hours.

Anyway...

What I want to say is that as much as I want to blog everyday, I realized it's impossible sometimes. I used to have this fear of losing my readers if I don't post everyday which kind of connected something that I am going to talk about today. But I know now that I have been fortunate enough to meet wonderful friends here on the blogsphere, it's time for me to let go of my fear. And I want to thank all of you who have taken your precious time to read my blog. Thank you!!!

So, I have this weird habit of doing things based on the numbers or music I listen to, kind of over analyzing the whole situation which often times interfere with my life.

In a good term, you can call it as "Good Luck" or "Superstitions", but I often think it's caused me more strain to do things freely.

Let me give you some examples here. When I am working or doing something important, I always check the time first. If the time says {3:30pm} and things go well afterwards, then it's my lucky number/time. If the things don't go well, then it's my unlucky number/time, so I would try to avoid the exact same time to start a new porject next time.

And music, I love music and it brings so much joy to my life. However, there are many songs that I love, but haven't been able to listen and enjoy because bad things had happenend after listening to those songs. I tell myself, "Nah.. stupid, I should be able to listen to it," and get the nerve to do so, but it always seems something bad happens after that. It sounds crazy, but it's true (maybe only in my brian, it's true..)

It sucks because it truly holds me back to do things without worrying about the outcome. I have been getting better at it and trying to ignore the inner voice telling me the certain numbers or songs are bad for me.

Superstitions supposed to reinforce the positive behavior, but in my case, it reinforces negative thoughts and behavior...

So, my friends, are you supersitious? Have that affected you positively or negatively? And do you know how to kick this bad habit of mine?

Here is one of my favorite songs "Save Room" by John Legend. (and i have so many favorite songs. lol) - So perfect for a beatufiul Sunday afternoon just like today...


Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

Happy Happy Birthday Soap Soap!!!

Today, my little Soapy turned "3"...

I can't believe how fast she's grown. I feel like she was born just yesterday....

She is the apple of my eye. She is my little angel who has such a tender heart...

I'm so fortunate to have her as my daughter and she will always be my little baby.

Soapy,

Happy Birthday, my little girl.
Thank you so much for being such a good daughter..
Mommy and Daddy are so lucky to have you in our lives.
But most of all, your big sis Ju Ju is so happy to have you in her life.
She was all alone and always wanted to have a sister..
Three years ago today, her wish came true.
You are her best friend. Always together you both will be...
We love you so, very much...

Love,
Mommy, Daddy & Ju Ju

P.S.
Soapy's birthday photos and video to be uploaded soon!