Archive for June 2018
2017 August San Diego and Los Angeles
Mary and I decided to attend the Semi Annual Taiko Conference, this year located at University of San Diego campus. On my flight over to SD, I sat next to Christine Noble and we chatted almost the entire flight and became friends! We stayed at the Country Inn & Suites in La Jolla and rented a car. Since we got there a day before registration, we drove to Alpine to visit my friend Carmen Shagham. She showed us around her estate and all the work she has done in her yard. Then we went to lunch at Montana Grill Café.
Carmen and I are in her back yard.
After a lovely visit with Carmen, we drove to the UCSD campus to register for the Taiko Conference. Elsie was waiting for us, then Lorin and Lovelle came to join us for the Welcome Reception.
Elsie, Mary, Lorin, myself and Lovelle at Taiko Welcome reception.
Taiko Kanikapila-people just jump in and play!
On Friday we had opening session and breakout workshops all day and in the evening we enjoyed a Taiko Concert. We repeated the same thing on Saturday.
I was honored to meet Kristy Oshiro, awesome drummer!
Sunday morning was the closing session. After the closing, I drove down to Coronado Island to meet Mel and Karen Tanaka for lunch and to visit their lovely home on the island. Then I drove to Temecula to stay with Ali Nash. Her hubby is a firefighter in Long Beach so he was gone. We had a nice dinner downtown at Public House.
Mel grew up in Ewa Beach: his family owned Tanaka Store. He and Karin live on Coronado Island.
I stayed in Temecula with Ali Nash. Her sister Heather Bown played volleyball at UH and the US Olympic team.
The next morning, Ali had made me a bracelet with the beach glass that I gave her. Then I drove off to Anza to visit cousin Paola, her hubby Phil and daughter Beca, who was working at a campground on a lake. We hung out by the lake enjoying the sun before heading to the village for Italian dinner at Ferro.
Phil, myself, Paola and their daughter Rebecca at the lake where Beca works for the summer.
On Tuesday, I drove to Los Angeles to stay w/Tom and Margie Hernandez, Kazu’s Dad and Mom. Margie made Nopales-cactus. She cooked chicken, beef, beans, salad and Tom’s sister Rosemarie brought 2 peach pies. We had a feast! The kids all came for dinner and Tom’s brother Angel brought Grandma Hortense. Renae brought her baby, Quetzal, so it was a wonderful family reunion!
I stayed with Tom and Margie Hernandez in Los Angeles. Tom is Kazu’s dad!
Wednesday morning I had to say goodbye and drove to LAX to catch my flight home.
2017 October
NY, London, VA-MD
I found a good deal on Gate1 for air and hotel to London. So I asked Debi if she wanted to go with me, and she said yes, because she’d never been to London. I have been there twice before, but never went to the museums, and so I planned to go to some London Museums. I flew non-stop on Hawaiian Airlines and stayed with Yvette for a few days. I visited Marlowe’s pre-school and spent time with Yvette and Marlowe during the weekdays. On weekends, we hung out with the whole family. I usually try to give Yvette and Erik a date night, and stay home with the kids while they do their own thing. So this time, I took Marlowe to the movie theater to see My Little Pony and then dinner at Hudson Eats while Noey was with his friends. On Sunday, I went with the 2 kids on PATH to NJ for brunch at Sapthagiri, their favorite Indian $10 brunch buffet. I like to stop at the threading shop to have my eyebrows threaded for only $6. We met Miko and Donna for late lunch with Donna’s parents. I had a date night with Noey, and we had tons of food and fun doing the “East Village Crawl”-we ate at 3 different restaurants to try different kinds of food!
Sunday brunch at our favorite Indian buffet in Jersey.
We had a late lunch with Miko and Donna and her parents.
East Village Crawl with Noakai.
Monday, Marlowe, Yvette and I took a car up to 6th Ave Michael’s store, shopping at Trader Joes and Old Navy, then lunch at NY Burger. That evening, I went with Erik and Marlowe to watch Noey’s soccer game then home for dinner. The next day, I read a story to Marlowe’s pre-school class and sang a song.
Marlowe has 3 teachers: Miss Janet, Miss Gyro and Miss Mildred.
On Wednesday, Yvette and Marlowe flew to Germany to visit Tara and I relaxed, packed and took the subway to JFK and met Debi at our gate for our red-eye flight to London. We arrived at Heathrow on Thursday, Oct 19 and took a city transfer to our hotel. They gave us a room right away so we could shower and rest then we walked around to eat Fish n Chips for our dinner at Hobsons. On Friday, we at breakfast in the hotel and caught the tube (London’s subway) to Leicester Square to buy discount tickets at the TKTS booth for The Mousetrap, a long-running mystery by Agatha Christie. We walked to the British Museum and had lunch there. Then we spent the afternoon riding on the HOHO (hop-on, hop-off) bus. We sat upstairs and enjoyed a relaxing tour of London. Then we went to see The Mousetrap play, after having some difficulty finding the theater. Afterwards, we saw Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant, so we had dinner there and took the tube back to our hotel.
At the British Museum
Victoria & Albert Museum
On Saturday, we went back to Leicester Square to buy discount tickets to see An American in Paris at 2 pm and tickets for Lion King at 7:30 pm. After getting our show tickets, we went to the Victoria and Albert Museum, where we spent 2 hours enjoying the exhibits. Then to our matinee by the tube, a light supper, then to our evening show at Lyceum Theater for Lion King.
We loved Lion King!
On Sunday, we got up early and took the tube to the Coach Station for our bus tour to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath. Our guide was Lucy and she was very charming and our bus driver was Ricardo. First stop was Windsor Castle, where we saw the Queen Mary Doll House and the State Apartments. Then a bus ride to Stonehenge then to Lacock village for lunch at The George Inn, oldest Pub in Lacock. Then a bus ride to Bath-by then we were tired so we just shopped.
Windsor Castle
Stonehenge
After breakfast on Wednesday, we checked out, stored our luggage and went to Camden Market and then to lunch at Taste of India. We caught a cab to Heathrow, flew back to NY, arriving close to midnight, and said goodbye there. Debi stayed overnight near JFK and I took a cab to a hotel in Chelsea.
Tuesday morning, I caught the GoBus to Vienna, VA for only $18. It was a large and new bus that arrived at 2 pm at the Metro stop in Vienna and Janne Hudner picked me up. We cooked dinner and watched Dancing with the Stars. The next day, Janne and I went to the movie Marshall after breakfast, and it was wonderful! After lunch, I borrowed Hudner’s car and drove to Laurel to cousin Gary and Sally’s home. We chatted and relaxed until dinner of Salmon, peas and rice noodles. Their Siamese cat, Tubs had passed away, and I played with the other Siamese, Crocket before bedtime. Thursday after breakfast we relaxed and drove to Ellicott City. We walked down Main St, checking out the many shops and had lunch at Trolley Stop. Then we shopped at Trader Joes and Savage Mill closer to home. We prepared dinner and Kat, Billy and Lily came and Matt and Audrey followed soon after. We all enjoyed the baked chicken dinner and of course, 14-month-old, Lily was the center of attention.
When I was there, they had just recovered from a huge flood, and now this June 2018, there was another flood in Ellicott City.
Kat, Billy and Lily-the golden child!
Front: Matt, Audrey and me Back: Sally, Gary w/Lily and Kat
On Friday, we relaxed all morning until we went to Mission BBQ for Navy Day lunch with some friends. Back home we rested and worked on organizing old photos from Aunty Carol, Gary’s mom who passed away. After lunch, I drove to Severn to stay with Sharmaine, David, Collin and Addison. After dinner, we went to watch Addie play soccer and she is dynamite! Even the ref came over afterwards to say she was his favorite player of the game! The next day, Collin left for a boy scout camping trip. We had quiche for breakfast. I helped them clean closets and went to help sell Girl Scout cookies. We went to Casa Dela Nonna for Italian dinner.
David, Addison and Sharmaine live in Severn, MD
On Sunday, we had breakfast burritos and went to help sell GS cookies, but it was too rainy so we closed up shop after half an hour and Addie’s soccer game was cancelled. After cleaning Addie’s room, we had lunch and I left Severn to drive back to Vienna, VA to return Hudner’s car. We had cannelloni for dinner with Dennis’ Mom, who comes every Sunday for dinner.
Monday morning, I had to leave for the airport, so Dennis dropped me off and I got home after a layover in San Francisco.
2017 November San Jose
I fly to San Jose whenever Hawaiian Airlines has a sale. I rent a car and drive from one house to another to visit friends/relatives in the vicinity. This time, I stayed with Paul and Sigi in Point Richmond overnight, then to Santa Rosa to stay with Scott and Taylor. Tay showed me the devastation from recent fires in the newer and upscale hills area that all got burned. After a little shopping, we hung out and Tay cooked salmon for dinner.
2 of Sigi and Paul’s 4 doggies!
Taylor in their back yard! Scott is MIA-came home late from work.
The next morning, I drove east to Alamo to stay with cousin Carolyn. Her daughter, Jessica and family were there from LA for Thanksgiving week. On Wednesday, we celebrated Jose’s birthday with dungeness crab for lunch and crab pasta for dinner. On Thanksgiving day, I helped with dinner preparations and neighbors joined us.
In Alamo for Thanksgiving, my cousin Carolyn, Justin, Jordan, Jessica and Jose.
Friday after Thanksgiving, we shopped and had left-overs for lunch! After lunch, I drove to Lafayette to stay with Lovelle, my taiko friend. Lorin and Lovelle live near each other, and I met them 2 years ago at Taiko conference in Las Vegas. Three of us went to a Peruvian restaurant, Barranco for a delicious dinner. The next day, we spent the morning at Sausalito, walking and window-shopping. We had a delicious lunch at Scomas. Then to the city to shop at Muji and home to attend Taiko class.
Peruvian dinner at Barranco with Lovelle and Lorin.
On Sunday, I drove to the city to stay with Susan, Yvette’s high school classmate. We went to SFMoMa for lunch and enjoyed the art in the museum. My favorites were the spider sculptures by Louise Bourgeois and Walker Evans, prolific photographer of signs, faces, people on the street, and more, from all over the US. We went to tapas dinner at Contigo and had a very nice dinner with a bottle of red wine for me n Tom.
On Monday, Susan and Tom went to work, so I was on my own. I drove to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park then walked to the Japanese Garden. I drove to Ocean Beach, past Cliff House to Lands End for a walk in the woods and along the coast. What amazing scenery! After Susan and Tom came home from work, we went to B-Star, a Burmese restaurant-Yumm!
Art!
Giant spiders by Louise Bourgeois
Japanese Garden in Golden Gate Park
Forest at Lands End
Next morning I left at 5:30 am to drive to San Jose for my morning flight home.
2017 September Pahoa Reunion in Las Vegas
Chris and I decided to attend together, so I arrived on Sunday morning and she arrived a couple hours later. We rented a car and drove to Trader Joes first thing! Then we went for a $20 foot massage (which is really a full body massage) and had Vietnamese lunch at my favorite place on Spring Mountain Road-LV Chinatown. We visited my friend Tiger Todd and Elena where they live there are lakes and ponds so we fed the ducks and koi. After that we checked in at the California Hotel. We met Scott and Janis Kinmore and had dinner with them at Honey Salt in Summerlin.
We visited Tiger and Elena and fed the koi and the ducks.
Pan roast at the Oyster Bar!
Monday, we took Janis to massage with us and went shopping afterwards. Back at the hotel we went to the Slot Tournament. For dinner we went to Carrabs with Greg and Tammy Pau and Scott and Janis. Chris, Janis and Tammy are 1969 Pahoa HS classmates. Back at the Cal, we socialized at the Hospitality Suite.
Tuesday we went to Palace Station Oyster Bar with Scott and Janis for brunch. Then we went shopping, and got massages (every day! for $20/hr). After more shopping we hung out at Hospitality Suite before going to our respective Class dinners. So my class of 1961 went to Main Street buffet with classes of ’60 and ’62.
Classmates, Joann, Wayne, me, Daniel and Gloria.
Class of ’60
Wednesday, I took Chris to $5 eyebrow threading on S Rainbow Blvd. In Hawaii, it costs $20! Then we got our massages. We checked out the Bellagio Garden. We decided to try two burger places, so first we drove to Summerlin to try Bachi Burger where we shared the Kiki burger w/side of brussel sprouts. Then we drove to the Strip and shared a Wahlburger with a side of string onion rings. Both were delicious! I could not choose one over the other. That night was the Pahoa HS banquet in the Aloha banquet room in the California Hotel.
Thursday, after Chris met the Kinmores and Paus for breakfast, we checked out and went to get our last massage before returning our rental car and going to the airport. I had a nice chop salad at the terminal restaurant before my flight home.
Christine’s classmates at the banquet.
2017 CAFG to Las Vegas
Dec 1-11, 2017
I work part time for Chinen&Arinaga Financial Group in Mililani. The entire staff was treated to Las Vegas for the 25th Anniversary of the Corporation. Gwen and I planned all the fun activities while in Sin City for the 30 participants. But first, I flew to Phoenix to visit the Fulkerson’s in Prescott, AZ. I had fun in downtown Prescott with Derrill and Sandy, enjoying the Christmas lights and gingerbread houses and more. I stayed in their beautiful and huge home, and we visited a neighbor who had a newborn baby donkey. Derrill had a war going on with a gopher that refused to die no matter what Derrill tried! It gave Sandy and me a huge laugh whenever D would check on the gopher every morning.
Derrill, Sandy and Lari
Fulkerson’s house is so huge, you have to walk a mile from one end of the hallway to the other!
Derrill’s war with the nasty gopher.
Then I flew to Vegas and rented a car and first thing I did was go to eyebrow threading and massage. Then I drove to Dannette’s new home, where I stayed for one night. We went to IKEA the next day and a fabulous buffet lunch at M Casino. Then I visited Tiger and Elena before checking in at Orleans Hotel, where the whole CAFG gang was staying.
The next day, we went shopping and prepared for the activities for Friday. On Friday morning, everyone gathered at the Chinen’s suite for explanations for team activities. Orleans has several bowling lanes at their bowling center so in the morning, we went bowling. Then after lunch, 7 teams were assigned for the Scavenger Hunt. Each team had a car and chose which items to accomplish on the long scavenger list, which included the Venetian and the Bellagio Hotels and ending at the Town Square Mall. We celebrated with dinner at Texas de Brazil.
Alan, our CEO, had knee surgery and had to use the scooter. His wife, Flo, is the photo bomber!
Orleans bowling alley
The blue bowling team
The pink bowling team
The green bowling team
Purple scavenger team with a diamond necklace at Tiffany’s.
Blue scavenger hunt team at Victoria Secret
Yellow scavenger team with 3 blonds!
Red scavenger team at Victoria Secret.
Orange scavenger team found a redhead.
The pink scavenger team found the last place to meet.
On Saturday everyone got to select a fun activity: They could stay and gamble, go shopping, get spa treatments, or try Top Golf at the MGM hotel. For dinner we went to Hikari for AYCE for 37 people. At dinner, we announced the winners of the scavenger hunt… very high competition amongst the teams! Fun was had by all. On Sunday we checked out and left for home.
Hikari AYCE for results of the scavenger hunt! Party time!
This was the 4th place team, who had to give hugs to strangers at Hikari. Mike wasn’t happy!
On free choice day, some guys went to Top Golf.
2017 Sept. Denver
Sept 25 to Oct 2, 2017
My sister Christine is a new grandma, so I had to visit them in Boulder to see this golden child. Brian and Desmonne Bennett named their son Coen who was born in Dec 2016. So he wasn’t a year old when I first saw him. I took the bus from Denver Airport to Boulder, where Desmonne picked me up. It was very cheap and an easy one-hour ride. I stayed with Desmonne and Brian because Christine and Phil had not returned from their trip to Italy. First things first: I had to eat at Riff’s. The next day, I drove to Westminster to visit Shirley at home. We had a lovely visit before I drove back to Boulder. Christine’s 2 besties, Debra and Leslyn came over for dinner. We had a great time chatting. And of course, Coen was the center of attention!
Grandma Lari meets Coen for the first time!
The Bennetts at their Pearl Street front door.
Debra, Brian and Leslyn: 2 Aunties visit!
On Thursday, I drove to Fort Collins to visit Lynda at her friend’s home and we had breakfast and caught up with each other. Then I drove to Wortman’s and stayed with Tom and Tyke. Their daughter, Lori and her family all came for dinner. We had Tom’s famous meat loaf and Tyke made baked butternut squash –yummers!
Brian and Tom in back. Lori, Tyke and Lari in the middle Audrey and Marshall in front
I visited Robbie Stokoe at his bioengineering lab.
After breakfast on Friday, Tyke and I took their dog Kennadie to the Vet hospital to be checked. Then I drove over to visit Robby Stokoe at his bioengineering lab at CSU. Shirley’s grandson is a grad student there! I knew him since he was a baby! Then I drove back to Boulder.
Coen in Roger’s silk kimono
The whole gang at the Boulder Farmer’s Market on Saturday: Lari, Brian, Desmonne w/Coen, Christine and Phil.
On Saturday, Chris and Phil picked me up and we went to the Boulder Farmer’s Market. Desmonne, Brian walked over with Coen in his stroller. We relaxed in the afternoon. The next day, we had lunch at Riffs then we went shopping.
Monday morning, I caught the bus to Denver Airport to go home.
lariyasui 