December

I apologize for significant lack of posts. I have the Blogger app on my iPhone and still can't seem to get it together. Maybe I feel more comfortable on my laptop? But then all the photos I take are on my iPhone... Anyhow, my laptop is now 7 years old and is still managing to provide whatever I need to use it for which is mostly for browsing the web lol. As soon as I'm able to I'm thinking of getting the Macbook Pro :)So..fall is almost finished. My favorite season but since the weather has been so erratic I was only able to have a few fall-like days in terms of outfits/clothes. This may also be because compared to the general populous of NYC I'm relatively underdressed when it comes to cooler temperatures. Winters in Japan were pretty cold. Mostly because of the humidity. And in Upstate NY there was the lake effect which makes things almost twice as cold. Like I've mentioned before I'm not as fond of humid and hot which makes me, born in Hawaii and all, more resilient to the cold. I just always figure it'll be colder so why dress so warm when it's still in the 30s? People will look like the boy from 'Christmas Story' by the time the temps dip below zero at the rate they're dressing. Now it's the holiday season. The tree at Rockefellar Center was lit up last week and stores and streets are decorated for the Christmas season. Since I haven't been in NYC during this time of year before I find it so pretty to see. But Japan made me a little Grinch-like because it's such an event there and Christmas seemed very artificial and materialistic (which it can be everywhere) but there wasn't any cozy, loving warmth like the holidays in the States. In high school I would start writing Xmas cards as soon as Thanksgiving finish and be so eager to send them out. I would decorate and get so excited for Christmas! I'm trying to change my mentality and get into the Christmas spirit (at least in terms of decorating, buying gifts etc...) but I guess I'm lazy. I want to keep baking cookies like I did at Thanksgiving but without a full time job yet I'm limited on a budget to buy gifts. Guess it's a good thing I have a small family lol! People keep asking me what my plans are for Christmas but I have no clue. I didn't know what I was doing for Thanksgiving till the day of. My family is far away so maybe it doesn't seem as important for me. I'll likely make fun plans with friends and enjoy that they're off work or something lol. I made Xmas dinner in Japan which was a bit of work and not sure I'll do that but I'm looking forward to making egg nog which I made for the first time ever two years ago. Yummm! Holiday parties will be fun to attend too.Other than this rambling I'm still in the process of looking for a job. Have a part-time job in retail and I volunteer at a school which has been incredibly meaningful and fun. I'm really enjoying my life here in NYC and can't believe that it's been almost three months since I moved here. Where'd the time go?!!Okay, that's all for now. Will post pictures from my iPhone asap.Hope you're all well!

In NYC!!!

Hi all! Gosh it's been sooo long since I last wrote. I can't even remember what my last post was about. Anyway, BIG change for me. About a month ago I moved to New York City!! I'm so happy to be living here. Maui is great but since I wanted to work in fashion again and my plans to get to London this summer didn't work out I figured NYC was the place to go. Plus I haven't a bunch of girlfriends who are here. I really can't believe a month has gone by. It literally FLEW by! I arrived right before fashion week which was perfect timing. I've been reconnecting with friends and college classmates as well as meeting lots of new and wonderful people.I will be posting pictures asap so stay tuned! Hope you're all well and sorry that this update is so late :/

Summer

Happy summer! How has your summer been so far? Mine has been fantastic. I'm sorry I haven't written in so long- yet again. I wrote a post via my iPhone but I guess I forgot to save it because it was gone :( Anyway, the summer here has been beautiful.Granted it's pretty gorgeous year-round but with a very dry spring the fields of upcountry Maui were looking a bit brown.

Thankfully June brought some rain and therefore greener fields and all the fruits and flowers. My grandparents were visiting Kauai and I went for a few days. It was mostly rainy/cloudy but when it was sunny it was spectacular. I definately recommend a visit to the Northshore of Kauai. Some of my pictures include Kauai.

I had hoped to be in London by now but unfortunately my plans fell through and I'm still here on Maui. I've been to Europe in every other season and was excited to spend the summer in London during the Olympics etc.. Seems like it's been a rainy summer for London so far but nevertheless I wanted to enjoy the various markets, plethora of food and all the beauty it has to offer.

Since London didn't work I had to kind of readjust my mindset (I'm still very set on living in Europe, London specifically, in the near future)so that I'd be able to eventually move to Europe for a longer period of time. Therefore I've made a bit decision to move to New York City! I'm so excited. I also haven't been on the East Coast for the summer. The not being in other places during the summer is probably because I was usually in Japan.

I have many good friends living in NYC and since I want to get back into working the fashion industry it just made sense. Plus it's a short flight away from Europe:) I'm job searching at the moment and once that's set I'll figure out my living situation and such. I can't wait to be back in a big city. Maui is amazing and beautiful but it's still an island and there's nowhere to run to for excitement. And I'm kind of over having to drive everywhere. I'm a big fan of public transportation and walking.

Other than these big life changes I'm enjoying my work with a wedding photographer. The hours are flexible and work environment pleasant- definately less drama. The Makawao Rodeo was this past weekend and I saw a little of that which was fun. I have a friend moving back to Washington so I hung out with her and am trying to spend as much time with my friends, my mom and dog. So that's it for me.

Enjoy the pictures!

Capturing my heart

Summer has arrived! Well semi-offically. Most people probably think that it's always summer here in Hawaii but I would say we have two-three seasons: humid and warm, wet and cool and something in the middle that occurs during fall and spring. The weather isn't too humid yet and rain falls occasionally making it a beautiful time to be on Maui. Schools are out for the summer and that means children frolicking everywhere. Hopefully businesses become busier with another high season of tourism arriving. This time of year is probably my favorite because the jacaranda are in full bloom. If you've never heard of a jacaranda look it up on Google images. They're absolutely gorgeous! Of all the flowers that bloom here in Hawaii it is one of my favorites. Something about the light purple blossoms, large climb-worthy trees and fragrant smell puts me over the moon. When I was growing up the highway that you drive on the way to my house is full of jacaranda trees and when they bloom painters will park on the side and paint pictures of the beautiful trees in front of a background of open fields. Things like this really make me appreciate living up here where the weather is cooler and the views are stunning. Living down on the South shore for about two months was a lot of fun with places to go (mostly beaches), people to see and lots to eat but I'm so glad to be back at my mother's house because the weather was getting too warm for me. Imagine that! Most people love the weather there-retirees, tourists etc... It doesn't really rain and sun all the time is nice but it gets hot. The one perk was that my laundry would dry quickly! Anyway, I've been horrible about writing as I've become busier lately. I started another job as a personal assistant to a photographer which I enjoy. It isn't challenging necessarily but it's in a relaxed atmosphere and the people that I work with are very upbeat and positive. It's nice to have variety in the things you do which is probably why I can't stick to one specific thing and love to dabble in different projects and tasks. I'm still keeping positive about getting to Europe. I've never been there during the summer and just have to be there. Alright, that's all for now. Will try harder to update more. I'll post more pictures from my iPhone next time. Taking pictures is the only thing I can consistenly do. Makes sense that I work for a photographer right? Hope you're all well. Take care and aloha! 皆様お元気ですか？本当に長い間ブログに書いてなくってすみません！最近忙しくなってきましたのでなかなか書く時間がなかったです。 こちらはもう夏ですよー！学校も夏休みに入りました。ハワイのお天気も夏に近いです。ハワイは一年中夏と思ってるかもしれないけど、実は季節は２－３個あります。まず夏は少し蒸し暑くって太陽もいっぱいです。冬は雨が多く降り、たまに台風も来ます。雨が降らない日はすごく良いお天気です。こちらの春秋は夏と冬の間の天気でちょうどういい気温です。雨も少なくって蒸し暑くないです。 今の時期が一番好きかもしれません。なぜかとゆうと今はジャカランダの木が満開です。ジャカランダの木をご存知じゃない人は是非Googleで検索してみてください。とってもきれいなつぼみです。木は大きく、花は紫、そして花の香りも甘い。本当に大好きです。私のお家に来る道にいっぱい木があり、昔からの思い出はジャカランダが満開の時にいろんな絵描きが絵を描いてます。 最近仕事が一個ふえてました。写真集のパーソナルアシスタントをやってます。とくに難しい仕事じゃないけど、楽な環境で働く事がいいです。それと周りに働いている人たちが明いです。 いちようこの夏ヨーロッパに行く予定です。仕事はまだですけどそのうちあります。夏のヨーロッパは過ごした事がないので、ポジティブに考えて絶対いきます！ ではここまでです。次がiPhoneから写真を乗せます。また見てください！ じゃね！アロハー！

This year so far (in pictures)

Thought I saved a post but didn't:( as promised here are pictures from this year. A couple are from when I visited Kona( a few shots from the airplane) and the rest are of Maui.

Enjoy!

C'est fini!

I finished my ten day cleanse! I'm so happy. I feel incredible! It's nice to have accomplished something that can be difficult for many. But it's more about challenging myself.

I'm on day two of easing into eating so-called "real" food. Fruit, soup, salad and anything light. Like I mentioned before I feel completely renewed. My head isn't fuzzy and waking up in the morning doesn't require caffeine etc... just the morning light and knowing how great this day will be.

Eating for the first time after ten days yesterday was great. I made a broth the night before and it was so tasty. Also, the texture of vegetables are mesmerizing. I had an orange juice as well and the pulp and flavor made me think I'd never tasted anything so wonderful (in terms of OJ anyway).

Anyhow, this cleanse has made me appreciate food even more and though I've always maintained a vegetarian and healthy diet I would like to significantly limit certain foods because without them I've noticed my skin is more radiant and I feel healthier overall.. I'm also more motivated to exercise and maintain my health in that sense because it always takes a second (or third) to other things.

In other news, I have a lot happening as this month goes on. I enjoy living in my new place where I can walk to the ocean, there are more activities and people around and so much food haha! I guess my childhood home is so much more country- even on this small island.

Alright, I promised pictures so I'll get on top of that. I'm off for a couple more days and I'm really hoping I don't work Easter Sunday but who knows :/

Hope you're all well. Have a wonderful day!!

Deep cleanse

Sorry I haven't written in so long! Things have been a little hectic with job searching, getting more work where I am and life in general.

I started something I've been meaning to do for months and finally set a date and began. It's a cleanse! As in no consuming of anything other than this lemonade concoction ( yep, the Master Cleanse) for at least 10 days. Sounds pretty absurd but I'm loving it!! Of course I was like, "not eating?! I love food!! What am I gonna do?" but really it hasn't been that bad. I'm around food and crave some things but never enough to give in. And you know what? It's day 7! I'm almost there! Can't eat a "real" meal till this coming Friday because coming off the cleanse requires "easing out" so your body isn't shocked when you eat again. That means three days of going from lemonade to juice, juice to broths and then the last ease-out day is raw food. Hmmm what should my first meal be?? All I've been wanting is brown ice and kale LOL!

I've been calling this cleanse/detox: Spring cleaning. Why only clean your house etc..? Cleanse from the inside. I feel rejuvenated, refreshed, energetic and just so ALIVE:) I truly recommend it to anyone who feels lethargic, tired, etc.. Your body will take care of you of you take care of it so why not start now?

Sorry for the rambling :p I'm just so pumped. I have a cleansing partner who's also doing it and it's nice to talk about it and have support. So if you're trying for the first time it might help to do it with someone else.

Alright, that's all for now. Will post pictures of my recent adventures in the next post.

Hope you all are well!!

Aloha:)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm sorry it's been so long. Even though I have the Blogger application on my iPhone I haven't really gotten much use out of it.

Anyway, a lot has gone on since I last wrote. Mostly I'm just busy with working part-time at a coffee shop which is fun because it's located right in a cute, surfer town on the North Shore of Maui. In addition to that I'm working with a makeup artist helping with marketing and social media for her business. It's pretty interesting and for Hawaii it's a little closer to the fashion industry than other work. Recently another opportunity has presented itself so I want to challenge it while I'm here. It's also PR work so I'm excited.

My more important focus now is to find a job in Europe in fashion PR. But with visa issues it is easier said than done. That won't deter me from my dream to live there because I know if I don't try I'll always regret it.

On days off I go to the beach and enjoy the wonderful weather we've been having. Generally winters in Hawaii are rainy and wet but we've been having fantastic weather! It was recently my birthday and I was just so glad that the weather was beautiful. When I was young it was always about wishing it wouldn't rain on my birthday so I'm ever grateful.

I've been here at home longer than I anticipated but I don't regret it at all.


Hope all of you had, or are having a great Valentine's Day. It's never really been particularly special to me but I still hope it's a day of memories for you all.

Will write again soon and include pictures. Until then:)

Happy New Year!!

Pretty late considering we're more than a week into the new year. My NYE was a lot of fun. I went to my friend's house for a party which included a lot of eating, fireworks and laughter.

My new year's resolutions include: studying foreign languages that I have dabbled into or have studied once before (in this case French and Farsi), seizing the day so I don't miss opportunities or chances, exercising in ways that won't bore me, keep in touch with friends through more meaningful modes of communication (letters, calls, emails), take more fashion risks which I say every year but I continue to remain mostly in my comfort zone, make new and wonderful connections and friends and be fully independent. I'm slowly getting there with most of them, minus the exercise, somehow I just can't get to doing yoga frequently enough and I haven't gone surfing in months :(

Anyway, I have a feeliｎg that 2012 will be an even better, livelier, rewarding,and happier year than 2012. Hope you're all having a great 2012 so far!!

明けましておめでとうございます！もう２０１２年になりましたね。一年ってほんとに早いですね。前のエントリーには日本語で書く時間なかったので皆さん良いクリスマスと年越しを過ごせましたでしょうか？私のクリスマスはすごくよかったです。クリスマスイブは友達家のパーティを三つ行って最後はイタリア人である友達の家でウィンを飲みながら星を見て友達と家族で楽しい時間を過ごしました。クリスマスの日はマウイの天気は最高でした。朝プレゼント開けてからビーチに行きましたが、ハワイではみんながビーチに行くからすごく込んでました。残念でしたが家に帰ってきてゆっくりリラクッスしました。

年越しは友達家で年越しパーティがあり、いっぱい食べて、花火を見て、笑いました。久しぶりにマウイで楽しい年越しをしました。

今年の目標は：外国語を勉強する事、毎日チャンスや機会をみのがさずに生きる事、私が飽きない運度のしかたをする事、友達や家族とマメに連絡とる事（めーるだけじゃなく、電話や手紙で）、自分のファッションにたいする気持ちをもっと高めるもっとリスクをしないと、新しい人と出会う事、そして最後は出れにもたよらず自分ひとりで立つ事。

すこしずつしてるけどなかなかいつもヨーガができなかったり、サーフィンも何ヶ月も行ってないからね。。。

けれど、きっと２０１２年は２０１１年よりもっと楽しい、明るい、幸せな一年になると思います。皆さんもう良い２０１２年が始まってますか？

Will include pictures next time.　次は写真も乗せるね＾＿＾

アロハー