Wedding Photos

I love old wedding photos and the past few days I have been sifting through pictures of old photos and finding my favorite wedding pics.  Here are a few of the ones that made the cut.  I can't wait to add mine to the list.

My Parents

My Grandparents and Great Grandparents

My Great Grandparents

My favorite... The dance.  Who doesn't love to dance?

Ka'ena Point

The farthest point West on Oahu is Ka'ena Point.  To get there, you must drive to the end of the road in Waianae near Yokohama Bay.  From there, you walk to the point about an hour and a half away.  Along the way are gorgeous views, tidepools, rocky shoreline, and cars.  Yep, cars that have been pushed off the cliffs onto the rocks.  So Hawaii...  Other than that, it is a stunning trek and well worth the drive.  You can also reach the same point from the North end of the island, Mokuleia area.


View Larger Map

At the tip of the point is a bird sanctuary, monk seals, and a beach.

The beginning of the road.

Looking back at the bay...

Nothing like a rainbow in Hawaii!

Oh the beautiful ... cars??

So cute, the little baby birds!

The end of the point is covered in white coral and monk seals

Our first Monk Seal of the day

The beach at the end of the road.

Lanipo - Maunalani Heights Adventure

About the Hike:  Lanipo, also known as Mau'umae, is an amazing ridge hike in Kaimuki off of Sierra Drive.  Rolling up and down the first hour is full of climbing over boulders and steep hills to be rewarded with amazing views.  The last half of the hike is over grown, slippery, steep, and narrow in parts.  This hike can be broken up into parts, it gets progressively more challenging the farther you go.  Allow between 4 - 5 hours to complete the entire hike.

How to Get There: Take Waialae Ave towards Koko Head, go left onto Sierra Ave.  Go all the way to the top of Sierra Drive and then right on Maunalani Heights.  Look left to see a fence with a small opening and a trail sign.  Park alongside the road in front of the fence.

The view of town.

It got dark earlier than we thought!  :)  What a great sunset though.

Beautiful Valley Views... as usual

What an unusual view of the back of Diamond Head

Who Should Do This Hike: Anyone who loves good views, bouldering, and a challenge.

Cake - the band - Running Playlist

I just wanted to say thank you to CAKE - the band - for helping me get through running.  I run to all their songs, but here are a few of my favorite-------------------------->>

-Short Skirt, Long Jacket
-No Phone
-Long Line of Cars
-Satan is My Motor
-When You Sleep (this one is an all time favorite)
-Jesus Wrote a Blank Check
-Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps
-Frank Sinatra
-How Do You Afford Your Rock N Roll Lifestyle
-Nugget
-Sheep Go to Heaven

Want to Have a LISTEN?  GO HERE!

The Best Album to RRRUN tO You ASK?  WElllll......

Prolonging the Magic : 1998

Hands Down.

Soft Flex Bead Show September 2010 Hawaii!

Another great chance to shop for beads and goodies is coming to Honolulu!  The Soft Flex Bead Show will be at Ward Warehouse September 24th - 26th.  If you missed it earlier this year, this is a great show.  The prices are really good on findings, chain, and tools too.  If you have been holding out on stamping, this is the place to go.  Go early though for tools because they tend to sell out fast!  Want to see more information??  Click HERE for the official page and location details.


WHEN:
-Friday 9/24, 10am - 6pm
-Saturday 9/25, 10am - 6pm
-Sunday 9/26, 11am - 5pm
------Admission: FREE!


There is even an on-line coupon!  Spend $100 at a soft flex booth and save $10.  

Coupon image taken from the official soft flex page.  Original image can be found here. Print either image and bring it with you to the show to save!

Soft Flex has a great blog too with inspiration, fun projects, and information about all of their upcoming shows.  http://softflexgirl.blogspot.com/

Maui and the Beach, Big Beach

Maybe you read my posts on the Hana Relay in Maui last weekend... well that isn't all we did on Maui.  We had some really good food, lots of good beer and took a trip to Big Beach.  Past Big Beach is Little Beach, and then an area of rocks where we jumped in a cooled off.  It was beautiful.  Oh, and if you like nude beaches, Little Beach is for you.  You can hang out with nude surfers, body boarders, and hackie sackers.  (Or you can walk on by to the jumping hole...)

Here is Big Beach, hence the name, it is HUGE.

Little Beach, don't look to hard, you might see a bare bum!

See the little rock right in front?  That was our spot.

Going in for the plunge!

Getting out is always an adventure...

Hana Relay 2010

We did IT!  Team Nacho Business finished the Hana Relay 2010 in 7 hours and 41 minutes.  We ran a total of 52 miles and kicked butt!  Everyone ran 3 legs a piece, no cheating, and we all finished our own run.  It was fantastic.  When I say we didn't cheat, I mean we saw other teams cheating and said HEY NO FAIR! We aren't cheaters, they can't cheat!  :)  Come on Rainbow Bright Team, run your own legs to the end...

We had amazing luchador masks that Melissa found in San Diego and then we all made our costumes from there.  We had 2 drivers, 6 runners, and a microphone.  That's right, a microphone.  You can't have a race with no announcer! 

We started at 5:30 am when it was still dark!  If you have never ran this race, you should!  I don't even run and I loved it...  We came in 103rd out of 157 teams.  Not bad!  (49th out of 73 in the mixed division)  There were some great runners out there.  Mostly though, people came to have fun!  So even if you have to walk it, you'll have an amazing time viewing Maui on foot.

To see the race results click HERE.

Imagine running next to this.... (amazing)

Getting Ready for Hana Relay 2010!

This weekend, September 11th, is the Hana Relay on Maui.  In case you haven't heard of it before, it is a 52 mile run along the Hana Highway.  Teams are made up of 6 people and each person runs 3 legs each.  A good old fashioned relay!  More than that, it is full of fun costumes and spirit.  Read more about it HERE -> http://www.virr.com/home/races/upcoming/hana/. They also have a facebook page, ->http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=141797575854349&ref=ts.

My teams costume if lucha libre, or mexican wrestler costumes.  I have a cape and a headband, AND a mask!  One of our teammates found really cool fighter masks...  So, I will be away this weekend on an awesome journey, but will return Sunday with lots of great pictures and fun stories.

Enjoy the weekend, and think about me trudging along the highway in Hana looking at the most beautiful coastline most people will ever see!

Sneak Peek: Working as a Pastry Cook

I work as an assistant pastry cook at a small luxury resort in Hawaii.  I love my job and I love what we make and do every day.  Of course there are down sides, and things you don't like to do, just like every other job.  BUT, overall, I enjoy work and look forward to the start of each day.  One of my favorite things to do is set up for buffets.  We have 3 buffets every weekend, so I do that the majority of my time at work.  We get to plan our own menus, plate and decorate as we like, and arrange the items on the buffet until they are just so.  It is one of the more creative parts of the week because we have a lot of freedom to design and create.  Here is a sneak peek into the kitchen and the buffet line before anyone else sees it.

Chocolate mousse cake domes, lemon curd tarts, apple strudel, tapioca, macaroons, coconut macaroons, cream puffs, cantaloupe mousse cake, pave, and pineapple upside down cake.  The list goes on and on.  Here is the buffet for Sunday Brunch in our signature restaurant.

Sweet treats presented after dinner to each table, compliments of the pastry team.

There's something about cupcakes...  They always get me, I CAN'T resist.

Mini cheesecakes with a caramel topping.

A very popular cake design, kind of our generic cake order.  This one is by me, you can tell because it is far from perfect.  I am still learning the art of cake decorating and developing the patience needed for the job.

There it is, a secret sneak peek into the kitchen of a pastry shop.  I love to eat and create sweets, somehow I have found the perfect profession...

Tie Dye Mania

I have been super into tie dye lately and I went to a tie dye party the other day that was so much fun!  We dyed onesies, shirts, an old chef coat, and underwear.  They turned out so well!  A few of the girls there were tie dye pros so the designs were super cool.  My favorite ones were the teal, royal blue, and kelly green. So pretty.

Ooo la la!

Bullseye heaven!  I love the bullseye, it is pretty much the only design I am good at...

See the spiral ones in the back?  Those are some of the ones from the tie dye pros.  Mine are pretty much bullseye, 3 color variation and random ties thrown into one dye color.  As always it was super fun though.

If you want to tie dye, but don't know how, RIT dye has a great website to go to. 

http://www.ritdye.com/

They have information about techniques, folds, ideas, and projects!

Haiku Stairs - Stairway to Heaven

About the Hike: The Haiku Stairs (also known as Stairway to Heaven) are incredible.  Unfortunately, they are also closed.  There are many fences, no trespassing signs, and even a posted guard to ensure that you do not hike them.  Don't let this discourage you though, if you really want to hike them, you just have to get creative.  :)  This hike is suitable for beginners and experienced hikers alike.  You can climb as far as you want before turning around and you can almost immediately appreciate the views.  Warning: if you are terrified of heights, this may be a challenge for you.  Wear shoes with good traction and bring lots of water.  Go early to avoid the guard/heat.  (Keep reading for more information about the guard.)  The first lookout takes about 30 minutes to reach and on most days is one of the best places to view the island.  The clouds can be thick further up and it becomes a misty land of fog and rain.  So be sure to rest and take plenty of pictures at the first lookout if you plan to continue on.  I have read that there are 3922 steps, so come prepared to climb.

Where: Located in Kaneohe off the Kahekili Highway.  Nestled into the Ko'olau mountain range and below the H-3.

Directions: This is where things get a little tricky...  Take the Likelike from town to the Kahekili Highway, go left off the Likelike.  Turn left at Haiku Road and continue around the curve, then go right at Kuneki Street.  Follow Kuneki St. all the way to the end of the road.  It will dead end and on the left hand side you will see the sign for Haiku Stairs and a large fence that also says "No Trespassing."  Park along the road, maybe a block away and do not block driveways, mailboxes, or trash pickup areas.  The neighbors may not be too friendly, so be quiet and try not to disrupt the area.  (It is important that you park legally so you will not be towed).  From here you have to hike/go through the fence.  Then continue along the paved road, looking to the left for a small trail.  It is easy to miss, so make sure you are paying attention.  Follow this trail through bamboo, it can get kind of tricky because there are multiple trails, but from here just try to head towards the mountains.  You will go through a fence, then along another trail through another fence.  And then finally through the last fence where you will find a roadway.  Go right on the road until you see the stairs on the left.

Notes: To avoid the guard, some say you must go  very early.  We are talking 4:30/5:00 am early.  I went at 4:30 and had no problems, but be sure to bring flashlights, it is really dark.  I don't know when the guard starts, but if you run into a guard before you begin you will be turned around.  On the trip down, rumor has it that you will be allowed to pass.  There are a few different ways to reach the bottom of the stairs, I find that this way is the easiest.  (You are more than welcome to hop fences, follow a drainage canal, climb over barbed wire, etc.)  Please be respectful of the residents of this area, they are so disgruntled with the hikers that they want to tear down the bottom portion of the hike.  (What???)  So remember, go early, bring a flashlight, water, and a camera!  Oh, and have fun...

Going through or around the first fence.

The trail to look for on your left.

The last fence to go through.

The shack on the side of the fence.

The sign at the bottom of the trailhead.  "Closed"

The multiple fences blocking the trailhead.  You must go around them to reach the trailhead, but they don't extend much beyond what you can see here...

I will post more photos of the actual climb soon.  I just wanted to post how we found it and some of the challenges that we encountered!  Good luck and again: be respectful.  It is an amazing climb and a rewarding trek.

More Jewelry for My Shop!

Today I had another day of cleaning, beading, and surfing.  :)  Here is a sneak peek at some of the stuff I made today.  Look in my shop in the near future for all the new goodies!  I am on a jewelry kick and I am loving the pieces that are coming out of it!

Bronze charm bracelet with vintage glass and citrine quartz.

Bronze chain dangles with garnet and amethyst quartz. Stunning...

These are my favorite!  I want to keep them all for myself... Handmade hammered sterling silver hoops with gorgeous chrysoprase stones.  Yummy.

www.barefootbeadshawaii.etsy.com 

Mariners Ridge - Hawaii Kai

About the Hike: Mariners Ridge is a great hike for beginners.  You can go pretty much any time of the day and you won't be alone on the ridge.  That being said, it is rather hot, so go early for the most comfortable journey.  It can be described as a short semi- steep path.  Give yourself between 1 to 2 hours for this hike as you may want to enjoy the views and rest at the top.  The lookout is a great place for a small snack or lunch, and bring plenty of water for the heat.

Where: It begins at the top of Mariners Ridge neighborhood in Hawaii Kai.

Directions: To get there, take the Kalanianaole Highway from town and go left on Keahole St/Hawaii Kai Drive.  Then go left on Kaluanui Rd.  You will see the sign "Mariners Ridge" to mark the neighborhood about 100 yards from the turn.  Continue all the way up the road until you are at the highest point.  There will be a dead end, park on the street.  The trail head is at the end of the road (there is a small cul de sac).  You are ready to begin.  As will all hikes in Hawaii, lock your car and don't leave any valuables.  If you have anything in plain site, it may not be there when you return.

Here are some of my favorite views from Mariners Ridge.

One of the shortest ridge hikes on this side.  A rewarding view of Kailua, Kaneohe, and Waimanalo await.

You can see Kaneohe Bay and the twin islands in the distance.  Look at the white sand beach...

As always, plenty of great mountain views.

One of my favorite things to photograph: Moss.  This moss grows on the cliffs of ridges.  You can find it all over the island at high altitude.  I love the bright orange color mixed with the sea foam green.  Don't get too carried away oogling the moss though, as I said it grows on the EDGE of CLIFFS...