Enjoy While You Can..

I've been spending a lot of time on the beach with my family and friends for the past few months.

I think the oil spill has set off the alarm clock in my body - it's ticking.

I go to Lido Beach at least twice a week now with the girls.

I'm extremely fortunate to spend my life surrounded by beautiful beaches in Hawaii and Florida. I'm such a beach gal.

I know it's bad for your skin to lay down under the sun, but no one can stop this girl from doing just that - well, of course I will never forget to use sunblock at all times.

This picture is from the day we went to Lido Beach last Sunday.

My BFF "A" and I have decided that we go to there every Sunday from now on.

We don't want to take our beautiful ocean for granted.

We want our children to enjoy every minute of it.

And we don't want to say, "Oh my god, we should have gone to the beach more often" when and if oil starts to wash ashore here on our beaches.

I tried to take some videos and show you how beautiful our beaches are.

I also tried to catch videos of birds flying right above our head, so my apology for moving the camera too much...

And listening to one of my "it" song by Katy Perry "California Gurls" makes my beach day so perfect!!!

Video of our kids and birdies on Lido Beach - btw, "A" is trying to tell me to ask someone to take our group photo.

And we did - the first pic is the proof!:)

My raved song "California Gurls"

Country Girl In Me...

I love cowboy boots and the sun dresses.

It's so cute and tickles country girl in me - Have you ever wanted to be a cowgirl?

It's no secret to many of my blogging friends that I love music. I listen to all kinds of music except country. I do listen to it, however, I only listen to handful of artists and songs that touch

my heart.

Funny thing is as much as I dislike most of country songs, I watch Academy of Country Music Award every year just because I always find some great country(love) songs while watching it. This year, however I watch the award show because I love Lady Anthebellum. I think people refer their music as Pop Country and I really enjoy it. I'm psyched that they're the winner of Song of the Year, Top Vocal Group and Single Record. Awesome!

"Hope Floats" is one of my many many favorite movies. I love everything about this moive. The costumes or music or the cinematography is so pretty. Everytime I see it I always have the urge wanting to live in a country house surrounded by horses and cows.

This movie is so beautiful - the music, the cowboy boots and hats and Sandra Bullock is so great in it. And Harry Conic Jr., is outstanding. This music makes you want to be a country girl. If you think about it, she is living the character in this movie for real at this moment - being heartbroken by her husband's infidelity - so ironic.

This movie is kind of old, but if you haven't seen it, I suggest you to go rent it.

Well, I'm sorry, but I love Tim McGraw - I don't listen to every song, but I love some of his love songs. And he is really sexy... I still remember so many years ago, I was watching the Country Music Award when he was singing this song called "Some Things Never Change" - and without even knowing I felt tears falling down my cheek. It was so beautiful and the way he sang it, I was glued to the TV screen. After hearing the song, I couldn't forget how beautiful it was, I drove to Tower Records the next day and bought my very first country music CD titled "a place in the sun..." (see the pic below)

And still today, I listen to the song in he car while driving or in the house during sunset - I found the song on YouTube - too bad I couldn't find the clip from the music award, but please check it out - I hope you like it...

So darlings, did you have a nice weekend???

Stop This Train...

I hope you had a lovely weekend..

For the past few days or so, I've been feeling overwhelmed.

I definitely think this is because of PMS or something along the line, but oh boy, I've had a good cry or two because I just couldn't hold it in.

I work as a receptionist part time and one of my jobs of course is to book a new appointments for clients. Every time when I book a new appointment, we're talking about the next month when the new month's just begun. I can't catch up with the speed, how fast my life is going.

I've talked about this many, many times before, but it's scaring me...

My kids are only getting bigger every day and I'm only getting older. And when I stop to think, I've been in the same place and nothing has changed.

My mom always says it's a baby step... Life is all about the baby step.

But I don't know.., I just don't know how to take a deep breath and look forward to my future because all I want right now is for the time and my life to slow down and not going any faster...

I love John Mayer (regardless of his reputation) and his song "Stop This Train" speaks my mind. I really feel like I want to push the emergency break and stop it.

Do you ever feel the same, my darlings?

"Stop This Train"

No I'm not color blind
I know the world is black and white
Try to keep an open mind but...
I just can't sleep on this tonight
Stop this train I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
But honestly won't someone stop this train

Don't know how else to say it, don't want to see my parents go
One generation's length away
From fighting life out on my own

Stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't but honestly won't someone stop this train

So scared of getting older
I'm only good at being young
So I play the numbers game to find away to say that life has just begun
Had a talk with my old man
Said help me understand
He said turn 68, you'll renegotiate
Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
Don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly we'll never stop this train

See once in a while when it's good
It'll feel like it should
And they're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
'til you cry when you're driving away in the dark.

Singing stop this train I want to get off and go home again
I can't take this speed it's moving in
I know I can't
Cause now I see I'll never stop this train

(think I got 'em now)

Beautiful Girls, Have a Lovely Weekend!!!

So what's your plan for the weekend? I'm taking my girls to the egg hunt at my BFF K's church and having the Easter Dinner with my family on Sunday.

Here's to you, my beautiful bloggy friends - "Nothing on You" by B.o.B featuring Bruno Mark Covers. I fell in love with this song a minute I heard it on iTunes and it's been one of my "it" song right now (and my call back ringer on my cell. shhh. lol). This song definitely makes me feel pretty inside and I hope you're with someone who makes you feel beautiful and special!!!

Have a fun and lovely weekend!!

xoxo

One Life

When I'm tired, you know what I tend to post. That's right, a music clip! LOL. I don't know about you, but I like many songs that are performed by American Idol alumi.

Last year's winner Kris Allen's new single "Live Like We're Dying" is Ju Ju's "IT" song right now - she loves this song and wants to listen to it over and over. I like this song because of the lyrics, how he talks about how we take things for granted. Don't you think it's so true that we've only got one life and one shot and that's it??? I often talk about my life and how it's turning out. It's not always promising and yet it's full of hope. When I hear Ju Ju singing it out loud and fast the "chorus" part, it touches my heart. Yes, we have to live our lives to its fullest with no regret. We have to live it with all you've got.

Enjoy the music!

Sometimes we fall down and can’t get back up
We’re hiding behind skin that’s too tough
How come we don’t say I love you enough
Till it’s too late, it’s not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won’t come
We could make a feast from these crumbs
And we’re all staring down the barrel of a gun
So if your life flashed before you, what would you wish you would’ve done

[Chorus]
Yeah, gotta start
Looking at the hand of the time we’ve been given here
This is all we got and we gotta start thinkin’ it
Every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’
Gotta live like we’re dying
We only got 86 400 seconds in a day
To turn it all around or throw it all away
We gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em while we got the chance to say,
Gotta live like we’re dying

And if you plane fell out of the skies
Who would you call with your last goodbyes
Should be so careful who we live out of our lives
So when we long for absolution, there’ll be no one on the line

(Chorus)

Like we’re dying (x4)

(Chorus)

You never know a good thing until it’s gone
you never see a crash until its head on
All these people right when we’re dead wrong,
You never know a good thing till it’s gone

(Chorus)

Like we’re dying (x4)

(Chorus)

Breathe

How was your weekend everyone? Did you watch Super Bowl? Which team were you rooting for? Although I always like Payton, I am happy that Saints won the Super Bowl - they deserved it.

Now, I'm exhausted - Going out last night and Super Bowl party as well as my emotional roller coaster for the past few days have made me really really tired. I think my body is craving for good night sleep and rest. Strolling on the beach would be nice too...


When I'm lazy, I tend to do a music post and tonight is your lucky day! LOL
It's called "Two Is Better Than One" by Boys like Girls featuring Taylor Swift. This is my yongest daughter's current favorite song. She asks me to play it over and over and loves to dance. So cute.. (I would have loved to see Taylor Swift in this video though..)

-- P.S. What was your favorite Super Bowl commercial? I liked Doritos:)

My Love for Music

I love listening to music. I'd much rather listen to my favorite tunes than watchin TV. As a matter of fact, I'm listening to music as I type this post. It's been raining since 7pm here in FL and my girls and their friend M are doing sleep over at our house. It's really nice to see the kids running around and laughing and hearing the sound of thunder and rain as BGM. Here are some of the songs that we listened and actually, it's quite relaxing....

I used to go to this restaurant on the North Shore, HI to see him play live - it's long before he became famous... He was really great then, and now? Forget it. I can't believe how awesome he is...

Sarah's voice is very calming and this song is definitely my favorite song to listen to when I'm in such hectic mode...

Sade is my idol. I grew up listening to her voice because my dad played her albums all the time... I wish she writes more songs. I love this tune - so beautiful..

My husband and I have very different taste in music. But we share our passion for Sade and Bob Marley. And some of the stuff he listens to are simply great. Morcheeba is one of them. I had never heard of them until I met my husband 9 years ago - when he played theri CD for the first time, oh my goodness, I couldn't believe it. He totally surprised me...

Bonfire

Yes, I'm still alive. I have been absent because you know the lame excuse I always use - yes, I've been busy. And because there are so many things to talk about, I don't even know where to start. When my brain goes blank (not because there's nothing to talk about, but because I want to talk about everything, all at once), I choose to talk about music.



I used to be blindedly in love with Stephen Jenkins from Third Eye Blind. Do you remember him and his band? Right now, I'm in love with one of their songs from the new album that came out past summer after so many years of silence. It is called "Bonfire" - this song is beautiful!

When I think about bonfire, I think of my younger years in Japan during summer vacation or being on the beach of Hawaii... There is something about bonfire that always bring out good memories in my life and this song just does that... Awe I love this song...

Target Knows the Right Button to Push!

I had to fill some RX's last week. JT and I usually get our medecines at Walgreen, but JT told me that I should try fill it at Target because he got a letter from our insurance that it might be cheaper. When it comes to prescription, I get very paranoid and nervous, so I told JT, I don't want anything cheap, I want the best ones because I don't want to get sick. He said, "Whether it's Walgreen or Target, they usually give us generic ones, just try it."

So, I went to Target. An hour later, I got the bag and I looked inside.. I must admit, I love the package. They look so cute in the red bottles, much better than the ones JT has from Walgreen, the orange ones. Hehehe.

Really, they are very cute to look at. The description card for the medicine is inserted in between the sticker and the bottle which adds another cute factor. Very creative!

So far, the meds are working fine. I've been feeling nauseated, but that's because I take medicines without food sometimes... When I feel sick, one thing that I want to eat is chilled Cantaloupe. I can eat a whole cantaloupe - juicy slices, so yummy. I'm eating cantaloupe right now as I type this post.

What do you crave for when you're feeling sick?

BTW, I love this song Carpenter's "Close to you" covered by Josefine Cronholm. However, getting this song is impossible. I'm very disappointed about this because it's really pretty....



I hope you are having a great Monday!!!

xoxo
Maki

Say "Hello" To My Little Friend!

Hi Everyone!!! Can you believe it's already August? It's last stretch to the end of summer. I thought we're just talking about welcoming spring, now summer is almost over.....

Anyway, I hope you're all enjoying the summer vacation. My little munchikins are leaving their mommy and daddy for their 10 day summer vacation in a few days. JT is freaking out, actually. I'm a lot more calm about this. I will definitely let you know how our scond honeymoon is going..

Now, I've finally decided on my new digital camaera - I just ordered Lumix by Panasonic. My lil sister and her husband who is a part time photographer both have it and they both love theirs. Also, my dear friend Bakergirl who is also a photograher suggested it. The reason? Leica's lens!!!! I've seen all the photos that my sister has taken, they are absolutely beautiful. The color is simply amazing!!! I'm so excited getting it in the mail and snap away many beautiful things in my life...

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and suggestions - It truly helped me to study and choose what I really want. Thanks again!





This week's Sunday music choice is "Spotlight" by Jennifer Hudson. It's been my "it" song for awhile and it's my answer tone. I think she has a beautiful voice. If you got true talent, you don't need to win American Idol - she totally proved it!

Hope you'e having a fabulous weekend!
xoxo

Maki

Friends Forever...

I talked to one of my BFFs A, back in Hawaii yesterday. Her twin sister who is also my BFF is getting married in September, so we're talking about her wedding and bachelorette party. We hadn't talked to each other in a while, but it didn't seem like it. I think that's what a true friendship really means.

I can say that I don't have many friends. I know a lot of people, but the people I call friends are very limited. I could probably count them with my 10 fingers.

When I talked to A1, we talked about how her sister A2's wedding is going to be our reunion party for all of us who partied hard back in the days. We're all in our mid 30's, not mid 20's in 1999 - 2000. People did party and party hard back then because "OMG, It's Millenium! The world is coming to an end!" - remember???

A1 and A2 were there for me when I went through painful breakups or happy relationships. They were there for me on my wedding day as bridesmaids and stood and supported me when JT and I exchanged the wedding vows.

One of the defining moment of our friendship was one night when we went out with our boyfriends, A1 noticed that I wasn't drinking. She asked me why I was drinking just juice. I said, I just didn't feel like it. She knew that I was lying because there were never times Maki just had juice when we're out partying at bars and clubs. She asked me again if there's anything I want to talk about. So, I brought her to a lady's room and told her that I think I could be pregnant. She screamed for joy, summond the sis A2 and she told me we're getting a pregnancy test kit. We left our significant others at the bar, hopped in A2's car, went to 7 eleven, they bought me the kit and we all went to their house and I took the test. The test came back as positive, the little proof of Ju Ju's presence in my tummy. I told them to keep it secret until I told JT and they did... They are my true friends. And I know we will be friends forever with wrinkles on our faces annd gray hair and all.

When I listend to this song by Cobra Starship "Good Girls Go Bad", I think of my fun times with my friends back in Hawaii. We danced all night long..

Here's to you A1 & A2!!!

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....

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

This Is Your First and Last Chance...

To see me without makeup or any kind of primping... I'm doing this because I love Mama Kat so much.. It's all her fault. She always brings the best out of me....

Today I picked the prompt #2:

"Take a picture of yourself right this minute without primping and explain to us why it is you have not washed your hair today."

Seriously, it is time for me to bare it all to you guys, right - this is the real Maki! So ZEXY isn't she?? That's why this is your first and the last time to see me without the makeup... I can totally see my true age and it's not pretty. You see the dark spots? Wrinkles? Ewww.

I took this photo 15 minutes before midnight - ahem...what's my daughter doing up this late??? Well, she took a nap very, very late and she's wide awake!!

Anyway..

I so did not wash my hair because it was my day off and I didn't feel the need to get pretty. All I want was to relax and washing my hair or putting makeup was the least thing I needed to worry. I am going to clean myself up tomorrow morning before going to work...

Also, this is my first - I picked second prompt. This is your lucky day! Wooo Hooo!

For my second prompt, I picked #1.

"If you were starring on American Idol TONIGHT and HAD to sing, what song would you choose and why."

I talked about my love for singing. I love to sing. I don't care if I am good or horrible. I just love to sing. If I were starring on American Idol tonight and had to sing, I would definitely pick the song, "It's My Life", "Underneath It All" or "Don't Speak" by No Doubt.


No Doubt is definitely one my favorite bands - it has to do a lot with the generation I was in when I listened to their music. I was in my twenties living in Hawaii. No Doubt career peaked in 90's ~ early 2000's and I had the time of my life during those years.

How cool is it to be the only girl in the band, surrounded by the cool boys? It's awesome to be Gwen Stefani!

I haven't gone to Karaoke since I moved to Florida, but I used to sing No Doubt everytime I went to the Karaoke bars with my hubs and friends in Hawaii. So enjoy the songs I used to torture my friends and strangers with.



The real video clip for Underneath It All

Remembering Pat Tilman at Superbowl - and my Sunday music choice-

I love NY Giants, but this year's Superbowl is the showdown between Steelers and Cardinals.



When I see Cardinals play, I think of Pat Tilman. He played the safety for Cardinals, then September 11 attacks happened. In 2002, he turned down the multi-million dollars contract and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He left the luxry of being a NFL football player to follow what he thought what's the right and best thing to do - to fight for his country. He died in April 2004 by friendly fire in combat in Afghanistan.

He's a very courageous person. Not many people are willing to throw away their comfortable lives and put themselves in danger - how many of us are willing to take that risk to actually act on your virtue?



He is a true hero who dedicated his life for his country, our counrty and us...

So I am going for Cardinals tonight. I hope Cardinals play for Tilman and try the best they can to honor his life..

Oh! And I had another reason for going for Cardinals. Kurt Warner - he is HOT!


Today's Sunday Music Choice - "I Hate This Part" by Pussy Cat Dolls

I am digging and loving this song!! Do you think they changed the producer?? They are coming up with bunch of good songs lately.... What do you think? Do you like it?

I can't wait to see and post all the funny Superbowl commercial later!!!

Why Is Vampire Sexy???

I love Vampire movies. "The Lost Boys" is my favorite. Don't you love that movie? Jason Patric was HOT!!! Then Bram Stoker's "Dracula". I don't know why, but I am infatuated with vampire. Now all the craziness has been focused on Twilight. I have enjoyed reading the books, but I haven't seen the movie yet. I've heard mixed reviews. I think I'm going to wait for a while because I don't want to sit in the crowded theatre..

Anyway, here is the song "Decode" from the movie Twilight by Paramore which I am kind of loving it. I've always liked their music, but this song kind of makes me wanting to trip to my own Twilight. What do you think? Do you like it???


And this is another song by Paramore (I'm sure you've heard it million times on radio) - One of my Soapy's favorite songs of all time. Hayley looks so innocent and she was probably still getting used to the idea of becoming the mainstream. I love this song.

I hope you're enjoying your weekend!!!!

xoxo

Music heals my soul

I cry a lot. And I cry a lot about little things and everything whether it be music, movies, stories I read and hear on TV (news, shows, etc). If you want to see my tears, just show me a couple of good songs, you'd be amazed how easy it is. I was raised by a mother who cries with everything and a father who refuses to cry in front of people. It's fair to say that I took my mom's trait when it comes to tears.

I cried the other night listening to McCain's concession and Obama's winning speech. I think many of you did, too, because they were indeed most touching/moving speeches of all time. Listening to their speeches made me realize that we still have a long road ahead, but also it is very hopeful. When Ju Ju woke up the next morning, the first thing she asked me was who won the election. She has no idea what the president really means, but she wanted to know. So, I told her Barack Obama won. Ju Ju said, "Oh, so Brack Obaa~ma is president??" (her eyes rolled really big!!) I answered, "yes, he will be our next president."

On different note (although this is related to everything on this post), at dinner table, we play music. No TV, just music. I usually play old songs (Singers and Standars), so that we can relax and enjoy conversations. I love watching my girls eat and talk while listening to the music I was raised with. My father owns thousands of vinyl records and grew up listening to the music he loves. I'm so grateful for that. Jazz, R&R, R&B, you name it, my dad would play them for you...

I love TV of course, but I know I could live without it. But music? I can not live without it.

Anyway, after dinner last night, we were still listening to music (we play either my ipod or JT's) and Time after time by Cindy Lauper started to play(the video is so old and wouldn't do any justice cuz it's in 80's, but I love this song!!). Oh boy, I always cry when I listen to this song. I don't know why, but I get emotional with this song. And looking at my girls listening to it? Forget it. I could not stop crying. I think it had to do a lot with the election, Obama winning agaist many odds and thinking about my daughters' future did it to me. Deep inside, I think I am nervous and anxious about our future; what kind of a world we are living now and how it will be in many years to come. I want to provide best for my daughters and their future. I am hopeful and thankful that I have them in my life. I am a one lucky Mama! And I hope I can give my girls the best and what they deserve for. So I decided to play and dance with my hubs and my girls to all the songs that I loved listening grwoing up last night. Today, I decided to post some of them on here to share with you, my friends. Music is a wonderful medicine. It always brings good old memories....

True Colors by Phil Collins (original by Cindy Lauper): I used this song for the slideshow we did for my wedding reception.


YouTube wouldn't let her original video embeded, so I had to use semi okay version of "Time after time"

I was in 5th grade when this song came out: I was obessed with it. I don't know why. The video is kind of cheesy if you think now, but it was hot at the time. I still love the song!

The Reason I Fell in Love...

One reason I fell love with JT is when I found out he listens to Sade.

We both love music. But we listen to different types of music, so we go back and forth over what to listen to. However, there is no back and forth when we listen to Sade. And our daughters grew up listening to her music.

This is "Clear Heart" by Sade. JT and I dance together to this song. There is no promo video, but it's a beautiful tune to listen to on Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy...


PS; I did a guest blog on MJ's Note to Self. It was a great experience. You can view my guest post here