Meet James Pond

Okay, some of you looking at today's title might think, "Here she goes, that Japanese gal misspelling again.." Ding Dong! Not this time my friends; I'm not talking about James Bond just so you know. :)

About three months ago, I was watching Dateline on TV about child trafficking in Cambodia where many young children as little as 4 have been used as sex slaves. It was simply horrible and heartbreaking. As many of you know, I have two little girls; 4 and 2 years old. I looked at the girls in Cambodia on TV, I couldn't stop thinking to myself, "What kind of a world do we live in?"

Then the program introduced one extraordinary family who watched the original Dateline "Child Sex Trade in Cambodia" 4 years back and did something unimaginable. James Pond and his wife were watching the story on Dateline about the sex trade and they were in such a state of shock; crying and couldn't even get off the couch. So, what did they do?? They talked to their children the next morning about the story and they had all decided that they want to do something about it. How?? Not by sending money. James Pond quit his job as a successful sales executive, they sold their house and moved to Cambodia. His family has built a safe house for the girls who were sex slave and trying to help rehabilitate those girls, so that they would have a better life.

Okay, my friends. We often watch something on TV that moves and touches you; makes you wanting to change the world. But how many of us really put that into the action? James Pond and his family are incredible. I couldn't even cry because I was simply amazed how brave Pond family was..

Please read the story about the recent update on "Child Sex Trade in Cambodia" and you'll meet James Pond (page 5 - 6). He also has a blog called "Transitions Global (formally known as Transitions Cambodia)". His story is eye-opening experience and makes you want to do something to help, not just sitting in front of computer all day blogging (I'm talking about myself, my readers..). And you can, too, to change the life one person at a time.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

PS: Today is the last day to enter Pay It Forward Contest!!!

First Love...

When was the first time you fell in love? Was it when you're 5 or sweet 16? Or was it when you grew wiser at the age of 20's?

I've been thinking and looking back trying to figure out when or who was my first love.. It's funny how I could think all the boys and men I've dated and even when I thought I was in love, I realized now that many of the case I wasn't.

I could say though, there are three guys who had shaped my love life; my ex, Soul Surfer, another ex Party Boy and my hubby JT.

I briefly talked about Soul Surfer a long time ago, but anyway.. I met Soul Surfer when I was 20, right before I turned 21. It was love at first sight. I went out one night with my friends to a bar called "Pink Cadillac" in Waikiki. He was working as a bouncer. I walked in when he was counting $$ and a cigarett in his mouth. He was gorgeous. I couldn't stop thinking about him all night and the morning after and the next day. So I went back to the bar, hoping to see him and there he was. Believe it or not, I decided that I was going to be his girlfriend right then(hmmm, kida creepy if you think about it. Boarderline stalker activity. LOL).

Luckily, one of my friends knew him, so we started hanging out as friends first and we stared dating six months after. But his true love was surfing. He blew off our date so many times without calling and having me wait by the phone. Every time I called him to find out where he was, his roommate told me, "He is surfing." It's funny how I got used to it. If I could place myself in his priority list, I could say that Surfing (1st place), Friends (2nd) and Maki (3rd place!!). But I loved him and adored him otherwise I wouldn't stayed with him for five years. He loved nature, the ocean and surfing, all the things I love. Anyway, you can read my old post to see what happened with Soul Surfer

After the breakup with Soul Surfer, I met Party Boy and dated for six months. And I could say, he totally broke my heart. We met at a party, he liked me, he got my number and the next thing I know, we were dating intensely. He did so many things that Soul Surfer barely did for me or with me. Party Boy wanted to spend every single minute with me. And we even talked about getting married (yes, he was that special). But do you ever feel when you're so much in love and things were going great, somehow you start to think things might go wrong or thinking, "This can't be true?" - well, that's exactly what happened. All the fun times and good times fell apart when I started to feel insecure. We brokeup the day after my birthday. I was a wreck!! I was depressed and cried everyday. I couldn't go on anymore without him and I was sure I was not going to find anyone who would put a smile on my face. It was one of the most horrible time of my life.

That's when I met JT. It was not love at first sight, but I remember thinking "ummm, he is handsome.." We saw each other every time I went out for drinks. We became good friends. JT was the one who saved me from being sad everyday after Party Boy. I stopped thinking about Party Boy when I was with JT. I started to feel that I can smile and be happy again.

When I was with JT, I never had to worry if he cared about me. He was not afraid to show his affection. I could honestly say that he was the first man ever that I knew in my heart he'd always be faithful to me. I could be a bit too much and kind of clingy at times, but JT was man enough to embraced me with open arms and never ran away from it. Although JT and I have gone through A LOT (for those of you reading my blog for the first time, read here to know about me and JT), I still feel that I'm lucky gal to have the man who loves me deeply. I love him so much...

So my friends, please tell me: Who is your first love?? Are you with him/her right now? What is first love to you; is it something you had when you are young or when you truly fell for someone when you're more mature and older?

PS: Don't forget to enter for Pay It Forward contest; deadline is tomorrow!

SITS Blogathon

Apparently SITS are hosing "Blogathon" today. It is a great supporting system for all the bloggers and I'm delighted to participate!!!


I am going to have to link 5 blogs here that I like which is very hard for me because I really can't just pick 5. But anyway, I want all of you to know that I cherish and enjoy your blogs both mentioned or not-mentioned here.

1. Rubber Slippers In Italy was the very first blog I left a comment for. I found Rowena on Blogs of Note. Coincedentally, she is from Hawaii and I am a devote reader of her blog.

2. A Cup of Jo is one of my favorites because of its simplicity. Joanna's blog is so simple and yet, so charming full of laughter.

3. Alev @ Bad Seed was my very first person to leave me a comment and she's been my loyal reader. Because of her, I kept on writing my blog when it seems nobody was reading. She is a talented poet.

4. franco @ Rivermist Expressions also has been great support for my blog. I love his bloging style with twist - he's going to be famous!

5. When I feel blue I always turn to Spittin' (out words) Like a Lahma. Colby's humor is just what I need to get chuckles and bright my day!!!

I wish I could mention all of the blogs I read everyday because I do love all of them!!!

I hope you're having a wonderful week!!

PS: Don't forget to enter "Pay It Forward" contest!!!!

Pay It Forward

Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to do the guest blog to fill in for MJ who had gone to the vacation with her then BF, now fiance for their 5th anniversary. It was all because I won the contest MJ had put out in order to do the "Pay It Forward" thing that's been passed along.

Now it is my turn.. I thought about it a lot, really. Well, I realized that I work for a beauty salon, so I decided to bring home three O.P.I nail polish to give away. I haven't decided exact what colors, but they will be fall colors: dark red, dark brown and dark purple.

Also, I have summoned my oldest daughter Ju-Ju, the best artist ever to draw some stuff for the winners. I don't know if you want her art work, but you could probablly sell it for about a million dollers if you wish... Lucky you!!! LOL.

In order to participate in this contest, you need to leave me a comment and the color you wish to have. In the comment box, please include your most proud moment that you helped others (ex: you gave your seat to an eldery person). This doesn't decide the winner, but we will have the chance to learn all the good things that the other readers have done in the past.

This coming Friday will be the deadline for entering the contest. Then I will write down each contestant's name and my daughters will pick three winners randomly. Then winners have to pay it forward with three things.

Good luck and looking forward to hearing from all of you!!!!

Birthday Memes!!

I've been tagged by three people last week (franco, savvy & dorky r). Since it's my birthday and I had the luxury to sit in front of my computer all day today, I'm going to do them altogether. Dorkys, I'm sorry to say, but I've done the one you tagged me for, so please forgive me - but thank you for thinking of me:)

My blogging buddy, Franco over @riverexpress tagged me with FOUR THINGS. Kind of similar the one I've done a while back, but anyway..

Top Four wishes:
1- A cure for kidney disease. My mom has been on dialysis for the past seven years, attached to the machine for four hours, three times a week. I just want her to be free from it...
2- My daughters happiness
3- Becoming a great cook like Giada de Laurentiis.
4- Just for a day, I want to be a famous fashion designer and create the most gorgeous dress.

Four Places I want to travel to:
1- Italy
2- Antarctica
3- Grand Canyon
4- Greece

Four Careers I want to be involved in:
1- Writing.
2- Crafting / Designing.
3- Helping people in need.
4- Owning and operating a fansy restaurant.

Four things I would like God to say at the gates of Heaven
1- Welcome my dear, Maki....
2- What took you so long?
3- Do you have any questions before you move in?
4- Your friends and families are waiting for you over there. The drinks are on me, so have fun!

4 people I'm tagging:
1. alev @ Bad Seed
2. brook @ Vegas or Bust
3. Sarah @ A Blog about Sarah
4. merc3069 @ Book Bitten

Next one is Lovely Savvy over @ savvy mode tagged me with 11 Things about me.

1. Clothes Shop: Aloha Rag, Bloomingdales and the Shore in SRQ
2. Furniture Shop: Pottery Barn, West Elm and Restoration Hardware
3. Sweet: Haagen-Dazs Coffee Ice Cream
4. City: Hiroshima (9 yrs), Tokyo (6 yrs), Maui (1 yr), Berkeley (2 yrs), Honolulu/Waialua (13 yrs), Florham Park, NJ (9 mos), SRQ (3 yrs).
5. Drink: Surfer on Acid & Cosmo
6. Music: From Sinatra, Coltrane to Stone Temple Pilots. I listen to anything that moves me.
7. Series: Cold Case, CSI (Vegas only), How I met your mother, ER, Rescue Me, Office
8. Film: Too many to list here...
9. Workout: 40 mins cardio, 30 mins lifting 5 days a week.
10. Pastries: Black cherry tart
11. Coffee: Honolulu Coffee Co's Iced Cafe Mocha (slush) & Starbucks grade Latte (Ice Latte in summer)

The person I'm tagging is Maegan @ ...love Maegan

Have a wonderful week!!!

Feeling Blue on Birthday Eve..

I guess tonight was one of these nights that I feel somehow lonely and it happened to be the day before my birthday. I've been celebrating my birthday for the past three nights by going to my friends' houses having drinks and great dinners, and it is not even my birthday yet, because you know, this one is pretty big. I am going to be 35!

Maybe because I've got period (clearing my throat; excuse me gentlemen) or maybe it's simply I'm getting emotional that today is my last day of 34, but I'm feeling so blue. Or maybe because I had a little argument with JT. Why did we have to do that before my birthday? Couldn't we just get along??

I have been thinking about my life as a whole and I am afraid to look back what I have accomplished throughout the year. And as much as I'd like to hope that I have done many good things, I know I really haven't done much at all except being a good mother to my daughters and a wife to my husband. Some say that's good enough, but I have a dream and I want to make it come true. But more I get older, I feel like the dream becomes more distant and further away from reach.. I felt so alone, so I cried while laying next to my youngest daughter who is sound asleep...

Okay, usually I am very optimistic and I would say, "Oh, my life is great!! Yay! Dream will come true as long as you work hard towards it!!!" But, oh no, not tonight.... Big, big sigh...

My hubby is throwing me a huge birthday for me tomorrow night and all the people I love are getting together for me. What else can I ask for?? I am a lucky woman, but then I feel like I am so unwanted sometimes. Am I crazy to feel this way or what?

So, I need your help, my friends. Please tell me; what would you do to pick your mood up? Do you guys ever feel this way even when you are usually an upbeat person? Is it just me or do we all go through this emotional roller coaster sometimes in our lives???

Hope you're having a nice weekend!

A Twist of Fate vol. 2 ~ then we meet~

So, I talked about my grandfather who survived the A-bomb in Hiroshima yesterday. His life has been my inspiration to be a better human being. But I had never imagined that a twist of fate would lead me to the person I would spend the rest of my life with.

I met JT in Hawaii during the Christmas holiday in 1999. He was visiting his brother D whom I knew and Mr. D introduced JT to me. One late night after partying at the bar, JT invited me over to his hotel room he was staying (no intention to have any sexual thing, I swear!!). We spent hours and hours talking about our lives, and we somehow ended up talking about the movies we loved. I told him one of my favorite movies was "Saving Private Ryan." He said, "Wow. It is a great movie...," then he went on to ask me why I liked the movie. So, I explained to him about my grandfather surviving the A-bomb and how his experience had shaped my belief in world peace. JT gave me another big "Wow," then said, "you wouldn't believe what I am going to tell you...."

JT told me about his uncle R (his grandmother's younger brother) who was deployed to Marianas island working as a technician for Army during WWII. He was in Stealth program, tuning the props for the B-52 bombers to make them silent, so people wouldn't hear the plane as they flew overhead. Most people who were in the program didn't know the true mission of the aircraft, The name of the plane was Enola Gay.

When JT told me the story, I was thinking to myself, "Wow..., this can't be true... I mean this is too much of a coincidence.." I think JT saw confusion on my face, so he said "You can ask my gram and she'll tell you all about it."

Several years had passed and I had the opportunity to meet Uncle R at a restaurant in NJ. We really didn't discuss about WWII until we were having deserts.

Uncle R broke the silence and talked to me. "So, Maki, JT told me about where you are from and about your grandfather. Do you want to see the picture of me in front of the plane?" Before I had the chance to say "yes," his wife, auntie M, poked his body with her elbow saying, "Oh my R, would you stop that? Of course she doesn't want to see such a thing. Don't be rude.."

But I was really honored to see the photo of him.. When he took out his tiny photo from his wallet and hand it to me, my heart was beating really strong and fast. There he was in the black and white photo, standing in front of the Enola Gay. It was just surreal experience. As I was gazing into the photo, Uncle R tried to apologize to me...

He said, "Maki, I just want to tell you how sorry I am for what happened. I was young and far away from home. All I wanted was the war to be over, so I could go home. They said the plane would end the war. But after I found out what had happened, Oh my god.. I couldn't forgive myself. I have had this guilt in my heart that I've been carried for so long..." I looked in his eyes and I was holding his hands as I listened to his story. And I thought to myself, "God, this is what my grandpa wanted to see..." It was such a peaceful moment.

United States and Japan were enemy during WWII. Japan's offense had caused tremendous pain to so many innocent people in Asia. I still feel extreme shame and grief. But my grandfather used to tell me that the true enemy is war itself and it is my generation's duty to pursue and protect the peace so many people fought for.

When I met Uncle R and had the conversation with him, I realised that time can heal pain if you allow yourself. I know right and there, my grandfather would have wanted to sit and have the conversation with Uncle R. That would have been the must beautiful moment.

I do not talk about politics in my blog, but I will say this; I hate to see innocent people suffer from on-going wars. So many people sacrifices their lives during WWII, so that we can live a happy life. Life sometimes carries you through unexpected events, but I pray everyday that I will lead a good life and be a good parent to my daughters, and raise them right, so that my children's generation do not have to go through the suffering that so many others in previous generation had endured.

Uncle R passed away 4 years ago. His wife, auntie M gave me the photo of him in front of Enola gay. She told me, "R would have wanted you to have it..." I placed the photo right next to my grandfather who passed away 20 years ago. I look at their photos everyday, thanking them for all they had done for us. And that is my moment of eternal peace...

Enola Gay